Are you Average?

 2003 Average Deductions Claimed Based on Adjusted Gross Income
               Adjusted Gross Income in Thousands of Dollars
                                                                     
AGI          $0-15   $15-30  $30-50  $50-100  $100-200  $200 & up
Medical      7,818   6,382    5,355   5,651    10,515    25,719
Taxes        2,459   2,442    3,332   5,464    10,042    36,354
 
Contri-
butions      1,443   2,020    2,066   2,666     4,000     18,011
Interest     6,834   6,844    6,979   8,448    11,350     20,381
Total
itemized                                                  
(after
limitation) 13,138  12,775   13,648  17,432    25,902     64,835
Percent
of filers
itemizing     5.2%   15.9%    36.6%   66.1%     90.2%      93.3%

Caution: In past years, average deductions for taxpayers from certain states often varied substantially from the national averages. This was especially true for itemized deductions for taxes paid. IRS has not yet broken out the state-by-state data for 2003.

Observation: The fact that more than 6% of filers with AGI of $200,000 or more did not itemize is likely due to their living in states with no income tax or a small income tax, having no mortgage interest expense, and having all or most of their medical expenses covered by health insurance of one kind or another. Another factor could be that the overall limitation on itemized deductions at higher income ranges, which can cause loss of up to 80% of certain itemized deductions, results in some high-income taxpayers taking the standard deduction.