Itemized Deductions: From The Encyclopedia of Taxation and Tax Policy

In computing taxable income (the base on which the federal income tax falls), individuals are permitted to deduct a series of expenditures. Itemized deductions from adjusted gross income are allowed for specific activities, catastrophic losses, or other taxes paid under the federal individual income tax system. Taxpayers compute their total itemized deductions, compare this total to the standard deduction allowed for their filing status, and subtract the greater amount from adjusted gross income.