Everything you need to know about Schedule A

What is IRS Schedule A?

Schedule A is the IRS form attached to Form 1040 that lets taxpayers claim itemized deductions instead of the standard deduction. If your eligible deductions add up to more than the standard amount for your filing status, itemizing on Schedule A can lower your taxable income — and your federal tax bill.

What can you deduct?

The form covers five main categories: medical and dental expenses above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, state and local taxes (income or sales tax plus property tax, capped at $10,000 total — $5,000 if married filing separately), home mortgage interest and points, gifts to qualified charities (cash and non-cash, subject to AGI limits), and casualty or theft losses tied to federally declared disasters.

How to file Schedule A

Work through each section line by line, total your deductions on the final line, and carry the result to Form 1040. Attach Schedule A to your return when you submit it — by mail or electronically. Keep every receipt, mortgage statement, donation acknowledgment, and supporting record for at least three years in case the IRS asks for documentation.

Should you itemize?

Itemizing only pays off when your total deductions beat the standard deduction. Run the math both ways before you commit — and use Zendocs to fill, sign, and download a clean, IRS-ready Schedule A in minutes.