Itemized deductions include things like mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable donations, and medical expenses. You get to choose whether to itemize or use the standard deduction. If your standard deduction is more than the total of your itemized deductions, you will use that to get the best refund.
Medical expenses are not fully deductible; the amount that’s deductible has to be over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. In Ohio, the amount over 7.5% can be deducted on your Ohio tax return, even if you use the standard deduction on the Federal return.
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) passed in July 2025 make permanent the higher standard deductions that have been in place since 2018.
In addition, OB3 increases the State and Local tax (SALT) cap. Formerly capped at $10,000, the cap is now $40,000. This might allow some taxpayers to benefit from itemizing their deductions again.