But HOW do you go about switching from itemized to standard in the amendment process? That isn’t clear when attempting to do. Also, even turbotax customer service did not know how to do this… any help is appreciated!

ThomasM125

Level 15

Normally, if your itemized deductions are less than your standard deduction, TurboTax would recalculate your tax and replace your itemized deduction with the standard deduction. So, you could just remove some of your itemized deductions by updating your mortgage interest, property taxes, or contributions to remove some entries there.

Also, once you are done with entering your deductions, you will see a screen that says The standard (or itemized) deduction is right for you, and on that screen you will see an option to change my deduction if that is what you want to do.

@Warriormc

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Warriormc

Level 2

I appreciate this information, however that’s upon initially entering the return. I remember seeing those messages and choosing appropriately at the time of filing. I am enquiring about how to get it switched in the amendment process, having already been filed, accepted, and paid out. I haven’t seen anything that will take me back to choosing standard for amending

MarilynG

Level 15

If you are Amending your Return to switch between Itemized/Standard, proceed as suggested by @ThomasM125 above:

Review a couple items in the Deductions/Credits area (you don't have to actually change anything).

Click on 'Done' or 'Continue' at the bottom of the deductions topics page (depending on which TurboTax product you are using).

The next page will present you with a choice.

This link provides detailed info on How to Switch from Standard to Itemized Deductions (or vice versa).

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Kwitz

Level 2

My problem is that we are married filing separately. My husband was supposed to itemize, so I did the same. I just found oit that he took the standard deduction so now I have to go back and amend my return to the standard deduction (which helps me anyway.)

Does anyone know how to do this? I can't find anywhere to make this change.

macuser_22

Alumni - Champ

@Kwitz wrote:

My problem is that we are married filing separately. My husband was supposed to itemize, so I did the same. I just found oit that he took the standard deduction so now I have to go back and amend my return to the standard deduction (which helps me anyway.)

Does anyone know how to do this? I can't find anywhere to make this change.

If you filed, it is like dropping it into the mail - you cannot get it back if accepted by the IRS or state.

Do not rush to amend - no hurry. You have 3 years to amend and amended returns are taking 4-6 months or longer to be processed so waiting a few weeks will make little difference and amending too soon might just compound the problem. (If you amend today you probably will not see the results until August or September).

To amend your 2021 tax return:

-- First, *wait* to see if your return has been accepted or rejected by the IRS or state. DO NOT do anything until you receive the accept or reject e-mail.

-- If rejected, you can correct and re-send your return.

-- If accepted you should *wait* until your return has been processed and you receive your refund or conformation that any tax due has been paid. (If you file an amended return while you first return is being processed it can cause extended delays for both returns if two returns are in the system at the same time). In addition, if the IRS makes any change on your original return, you might end up having to amend the amendment – a sticky process that can take a year or more).

-- Then you can start the amend process.

It is suggested that it be mailed certified with return receipt (or other tracking service) to verify that the IRS receives it. That is the only proof of mailing that the IRS will accept.

-- Amended returns can be mailed or e-filed - allow 8-12 weeks - can take up to 16 weeks (4 months) for processing.

See this TurboTax FAQ for help with amending:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed

You can check the status of your amended return here but allow 3 weeks after filing for it to show up:
https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

aditya1934

Level 2

I entered itemized deductions and allowable deductions are ;ess than the standard deduction. I want to use the later.What do I do?

DoninGA

Level 15

@aditya1934 wrote:

I entered itemized deductions and allowable deductions are ;ess than the standard deduction. I want to use the later.What do I do?

If the total of all your itemized deductions are less than the Standard Deduction for your filing status the Standard Deduction is automatically used for your tax return.

Standard deductions for 2021

Single - $12,550 add $1,700 if age 65 or older
Married Filing Separately - $12,550 add $1,350 if age 65 or older
Married Filing Jointly - $25,100 add $1,350 for each spouse age 65 or older
Head of Household - $18,800 add $1,700 if age 65 or older

Odassa16

Level 2

Can I change my tax form from itemized to standard I made a mistake and put in the wrong one ?

Monikak11

Level 2

TurboTax calculates which option is better - standard deductions or itemized deductions - though you can direct the program to switch from itemized to standard if you have a reason for doing so. If you told the program to select itemized when the standard deduction would have been better, you can amend your return to make the change,

The IRS doesn't want you to amend until you've already gotten your tax refund. If you owe money after amending, you'll have to include payment with your e-filed or mailed amendment form.

See this tool for information about the availability of forms in TurboTax. As of now, Form 1040X for amended returns is projected to become available on February 14, 2024, subject to change.

There are times when you should amend your return and times when you shouldn't. Here are some common situations that call for an amendment:

You realized you missed out on claiming a tax deduction or credit.
You accidentally claimed the wrong tax filing status.
You need to add or remove a dependent.
You forgot to claim taxable income on your tax return.
You realize you claimed an expense, deduction, or credit that you weren't eligible to claim.

See this article and this one for more information on filing an amended return with TurboTax.