Submitted By: someone
Answered: May 21, 2018 11:15 pm

In 2017 I had substantial medical expenses and large charitable contributions. Can I save part of my itemized deductions from 2017 and report them on my 2018 return?

No. Deductions usually must be claimed for the year in which they were paid. There’s no provision in the tax law allowing a person to “save” deductions and use them in a subsequent year.

advertisement
Tax Glossary

Accrual method of accounting

A business method of accounting requiring income to be reported when earned and expenses to be deducted when incurred. However, deductions generally may not be claimed until economic performance has occurred.

More terms