itemized deduction


Itemized deduction

Specific deductions allowed by the IRS outlined in the tax return.

Itemized Deduction

A deduction from one's taxable income as the result of a specific expense the taxpayer has had over the course of the tax year. Most medical expenses, for example, may be deducted from one's taxable income. The same is the case for interest on mortgages and business expenses. The IRS allows itemized deductions as an alternative to the standard deduction, which takes a flat amount out of one's taxable income. Itemized deductions are subject to certain restrictions; for example, some expenses must exceed a certain percentage of the adjusted gross income to be deductible.

itemized deduction

See deduction.