This Could Be the Year to Stop Itemizing Your Deductions

This Could Be the Year to Stop Itemizing Your Deductions

Tax season is just about here again. That means millions of people are getting ready to gather up all their financial information for the year 2018 and file their returns. This year will be like no other, thanks to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act.  

One of the biggest questions taxpayers have every year is whether or not they should itemize or just take the standard deduction. It used to be a major issue for many taxpayers. Itemizing is always more time-consuming, but often saves you money. 

However, that question will likely be a lot easier to answer this year. The standard deduction has nearly doubled, meaning most taxpayers will not have enough itemized deductions to surpass the new standard deduction amounts.

If you’re still not sure, here are four things to consider. These can help you determine if it’s time to stop itemizing. 

1. How much mortgage interest did you pay this year? If it wasn’t much then chances are you won’t surpass the standard deduction amount. 
2. If you’re counting on a large deduction coming from your state and local income taxes, remember there is now cap of only $10,000. 
3. How much did you donate to charitable causes? If you didn’t donate a lot, then chances are it won’t help your total enough to justify itemizing.  
4. If your medical expenses were minimal this year, that’s another good sign that itemizing might not be worth it. 

We hope you found this article about “This Could Be the Year to Stop Itemizing Your Deductions” helpful.  If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page  or our website at www.GROCO.com.  Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.

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Alan Olsen, is the Host of the American Dreams Show and the Managing Partner of GROCO.com.  GROCO is a premier family office and tax advisory firm located in the San Francisco Bay area serving clients all over the world.

Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio

 

 

GROCO.com is a proud sponsor of The American Dreams Show.

 

The American Dreams show was the brainchild of Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA. It was originally created to fill a specific need; often inexperienced entrepreneurs lacked basic information about raising capital and how to successfully start a business.

Alan sincerely wanted to respond to the many requests from aspiring entrepreneurs asking for the information and introductions they needed. But he had to find a way to help in which his venture capital clients and friends would not mind.

The American Dreams show became the solution, first as a radio show and now with YouTube videos as well. Always respectful of interview guest’s time, he’s able to give access to individuals information and inspiration previously inaccessible to the first-time entrepreneurs who need it most.

They can listen to venture capitalists and successful business people explain first-hand, how they got to where they are, how to start a company, how to overcome challenges, how they see the future evolving, opportunities, work-life balance and so much more..

MyPaths.com (Also sponsored by GROCO) provides free access to content and world-class entrepreneurs, influencers and thought leaders’ personal success stories. To help you find your path in life to true, sustainable success & happiness.  It’s mission statement:

In an increasingly complex and difficult world, we hope to help you find your personal path in life and build a strong foundation by learning how others found success and happiness. True and sustainable success and happiness are different for each one of us but possible, often despite significant challenges.

Our mission at MyPaths.com is to provide resources and firsthand accounts of how others found their paths in life, so you can do the same.