Yes. Idaho allows you to choose the deduction method that benefits you most, even if it's different from what you used on your federal return. If you claimed the standard deduction on your federal return, you can still itemize deductions on your Idaho return.
To do this, you'll need to complete the federal itemized deduction information and enter your qualifying deductions for Idaho. Keep in mind that Idaho requires certain adjustments to federal Schedule A amounts. For example, state and local income taxes or general sales taxes included on federal Schedule A must be subtracted when calculating Idaho itemized deductions.
Idaho also allows you to use either your itemized deductions or the standard deduction, whichever produces the better tax result for your Idaho return. In some cases, taxpayers itemize federally but use the Idaho standard deduction, or vice versa.
Married Filing Separately
If you're filing Married Filing Separately, both spouses generally must use the same deduction method (standard or itemized), unless you lived apart for the entire tax year.
Program Entry
- Edit Idaho Return
- Deductions From Income
- Force the Use of Standard Deduction
If you want to itemize instead of using the Idaho standard deduction, make sure the option to force the standard deduction is not selected and enter your itemized deduction information as needed.