If a taxpayer claims the standard deduction, what happens to their deduction for gambling losses?

When a taxpayer claims the standard deduction, they cannot deduct gambling losses. This is due to the fact that gambling losses are considered itemized deductions, which means they can only be claimed by taxpayers who itemize their deductions. Since the standard deduction and itemized deductions are mutually exclusive, if a taxpayer opts for the standard deduction, they forfeit the ability to itemize any deductions, including gambling losses.

It's important to note that gambling losses can only be deducted up to the amount of gambling winnings, and claiming the standard deduction eliminates the possibility of using any losses to offset winnings on a tax return. Therefore, taxpayers should be aware that their choice to take the standard deduction directly impacts their ability to deduct losses stemming from gambling.