Can I itemize on a Maryland state return if I took the standard deduction on the US return?

[Accountant-Man]

I can look this up, but I won't. Does MD itemize? If yes, then yes. Why wouldn't it?

[KMB14 · Accepted solution]

Nope. If you take the standard deduction on the Federal return you have to use the standard deduction on the Maryland return.

This does not apply if you itemize on Federal, in which case you can take the standard deduction or also itemize Maryland. 

Going to be lots of comparing whether it'll be more beneficial to force itemized on the Federal return to increase the state refund this year. We have been running scenarios like this for many of our clients for weeks. Welcome to the club. 🙂