Standard Deduction on the What-If Worksheet

Forum|Forum|10 days ago
August 13, 2026
6 replies
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I'm trying to use the What-If feature for the first time using my 2025 tax year software to game out scenarios for 2026. I elected to not Copy column 1 to Column 2 so that I could customize some of the entries.

I am single and over 65. TurboTax has the correct standard deduction of $17,750 in column 1 for the 2025 tax year. It has $16,100 in column 2 for the standard deduction, and I cannot change it to the correct figure of $18,150.

Best answer by SteamTrain

For the What-If Worksheet: Itemized Ded aren’t forced as long as you’ve sufficiently reduced, or cleared-out the Itemized deduction values at the very bottom of the worksheet for the column (columns 2-to-4 only) you are working on.

__________________________

You don’t enter your date of birth into the worksheet as long as the taxpayers age on line 3 of the worksheet is correct in column 1.

IF you transfer data from column 1 , to a new column and select the 2026 box in the new column, then the age will update by +1 for that new column.

At least on my Windows system, I can change any data in any of the tan colored boxes for columns 2-to-4 ( column 1 isn’t supposed to be messed with). For columns 2-to-4, Data in white background boxes are fed (or summed) from other boxes where you can enter data.

And even if the age is wrong on line 3 of the worksheet, I can change the # on line 38 to indicate how many individuals (i.e. taxpayer or spouse0 )are either age 65 or older..or also blind…...that affects the std deduction in line 38 to the correct value (as long as the Itemized deductions at the very bottom of the worksheet have been reduced or cleared out )

VolvoGirl

Level 15

Mine gives me 18,150. Some things to check. Did you check the box on the top of column 2 to use 2026 tax rates? Check your birthdate and line 3 for age. Look down at the Itemized Deductions Summary top line to Force itemized deductions.

Try updating your program.

VolvoGirl

Level 15

Maybe you should copy column 1 to another column. You can still override and customize the entries.

G

glerbnik84Author

Level 4

Thanks for your replies. I did check the box in Column 2 to use '26 rates. My age is correct in Column 2. I didn't see DOB as a field to complete on the What-If worksheet. (Maybe the worksheet references DOB entered on the 2025 return and does the math to get the age in Column 2?)

Initially I tried using the "Copy column 1 to column 2," but that was bringing over numbers from 2025 that will not apply in '26, and I couldn't change the entries for those fields.

Gotta be a solution that doesn't involve forcing itemization. The standard deduction is better for my tax situation than itemizing.

Thank you again for your thoughts, and for your time!

SteamTrainAnswer

Level 15

For the What-If Worksheet: Itemized Ded aren’t forced as long as you’ve sufficiently reduced, or cleared-out the Itemized deduction values at the very bottom of the worksheet for the column (columns 2-to-4 only) you are working on.

__________________________

You don’t enter your date of birth into the worksheet as long as the taxpayers age on line 3 of the worksheet is correct in column 1.

IF you transfer data from column 1 , to a new column and select the 2026 box in the new column, then the age will update by +1 for that new column.

At least on my Windows system, I can change any data in any of the tan colored boxes for columns 2-to-4 ( column 1 isn’t supposed to be messed with). For columns 2-to-4, Data in white background boxes are fed (or summed) from other boxes where you can enter data.

And even if the age is wrong on line 3 of the worksheet, I can change the # on line 38 to indicate how many individuals (i.e. taxpayer or spouse0 )are either age 65 or older..or also blind…...that affects the std deduction in line 38 to the correct value (as long as the Itemized deductions at the very bottom of the worksheet have been reduced or cleared out )

____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*

G

glerbnik84Author

Level 4

Ah, you hit the nail on the head. Entering 1 on line 38 fixed the problem.

Many, many thanks!!!

rjs

Level 15

@glerbnik84

Bingo! @SteamTrain found the key. The What-If Worksheet doesn't use the taxpayer's age on line 3 to determine the standard deduction (at least not directly). It uses the "number of boxes checked" on line 38, which you can enter. Entering 1 on line 38 gives me a standard deduction of $18,150 for 2026, no matter what the age is.