I was just wondering if someone can point me in the right directions. I pay my late fathers mortgage and on the tax for it says i have a couple grand of interest that i can claim if i itemize my return.

Last year i tried to itemize (i made i think around 17k) and the lady told me i didnt make enough to itemize for some reason. Was this true?

I made a little over 19k this year. Would i be able to itemize this year and claim this year and last?