2014 Wolters Kluwer, CCH Whole Ball of Tax

Average Itemized Deductions (Data Based on Preliminary 2011 IRS Statistics)

Based on the latest IRS statistics, itemized deductions were claimed on almost 32 percent of all tax returns filed and represented an estimated 60 percent of the total deductions amount. The average for total itemized deductions (after limitation) was $25,230, a 0.4-percent increase from the average of $25,119 for 2010.

The following are preliminary figures released by the IRS (their reports lag behind the current tax year because of the time needed to compile figures). These are averages only. The IRS cautions taxpayers that they should not base their claimed deductions on these figures.

The numbers are useful, however, for two purposes: 1) to see if your actual deduction is out of line (so you can take extra care to document your claim) and; 2) to see if the deductions meet the expectations of policymakers.

Also, note that these averages take into account only those individuals who claimed an itemized deduction for that type of expense. Zero deductions are not factored in. Thus, the “average” taxpayer with adjusted gross income between $50,000 and $100,000 did not take an “average” medical expense deduction of $7,376, only the “average” taxpayer who itemized did.

SOURCE: Wolters Kluwer, CCH: 2014

Permission for use granted.

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