As tax season approaches, one of the most common—and costly—mistakes I see taxpayers make is automatically taking the standard deduction without ever exploring whether itemizing deductions would save them more money.
For many people, the standard deduction feels “easier.” It’s quick, it’s familiar, and unfortunately, it’s often chosen out of convenience rather than strategy. But ease does not equal accuracy—and it certainly doesn’t equal maximum savings.
The Problem With “Defaulting” to the Standard Deduction
Most tax preparers are under pressure to move quickly during tax season. As a result, many will default to the standard deduction without taking the time to go line by line through a client’s actual expenses.
From experience, 8 out of 10 times, when we truly itemize and analyze expenses, the total deductions exceed the standard deduction—sometimes by thousands of dollars.
When a tax professional skips this step, the taxpayer is often left overpaying the IRS.
Simply put:
If your tax preparer is choosing the standard deduction without reviewing your full financial picture, they may be doing you a disservice.
What Itemizing Actually Does for You
Itemizing deductions allows you to write off qualifying expenses such as:
- Mortgage interest
- Property taxes
- Medical and dental expenses
- State and local taxes
- Charitable contributions
- Business-related expenses (for self-employed individuals)
- Investment-related expenses
- Certain education-related costs
Many people assume they “don’t qualify” to itemize—but that assumption is rarely tested.
When expenses are properly tracked and reviewed, taxpayers are often surprised by how quickly they add up.
Why Most People Never See the Benefit
The truth is, itemizing takes time, attention to detail, and strategy. It requires asking the right questions, reviewing documents carefully, and understanding how tax laws actually apply to your situation—not just plugging numbers into software.
Unfortunately, many tax preparers don’t take this extra step.
And the taxpayer pays the price.
Choosing the Right Tax Professional Matters
Taxes are not one-size-fits-all. The right tax professional doesn’t just file your return—they advocate for your financial best interest.
That means:
- Reviewing your expenses in detail
- Comparing itemized deductions vs. the standard deduction
- Explaining why one option benefits you more
- Making informed decisions, not rushed ones
If your tax preparer isn’t having these conversations with you, it may be time to ask why.
Final Thought as Tax Season Approaches
As tax season gets closer, now is the time to be proactive—not passive—about your finances.
Itemizing deductions isn’t about doing more work for the sake of it.
It’s about keeping more of your money—legally, ethically, and strategically.
Before accepting the standard deduction as the default, make sure someone has actually taken the time to see whether it’s truly the best option for you.
Because when it comes to taxes, what you don’t review can cost you.
