In my original return I took standard deduction. I missed some charitable donations, so I amended. I expected amended return to itemize, but no change. How to see why?

[bjr1822]

On my initial return my itemized deduction amount was just under the standard deduction amount, so Turbotax selected the standard deduction. A couple weeks after I filed, as I was organizing my records, I realized there were some donations that were made during the year that I missed in my return. I filed an amended return under the expectation that the new donations would bump me up over the standard deduction into the itemized deduction filing. However, after entering the new donations, Turbotax continued to select the standardized deduction. I would like to look at the numbers Turbotax is using to make that determination to verify for myself, but I can't figure out how to view this comparison under the amended return experience (I know during initial filing they offer a comparison, but during amendment it gets skipped). How can I view the itemized version of the deductions so I can validate nothing is going wrong when turbotax continues to select the standard deduction during the amendment process?

[LenaH]

If your itemized deductions are greater than the Standard Deduction, TurboTax will automatically use the itemized deductions on your Schedule A. Some deductions are subject to limitations, so this could have changed what was the most beneficial deduction in your tax situation. 

To review your deductions or force the use of Itemized Deductions, please follow the steps below: 

1. Open your return.
2. Click on Tax Tools on the left hand side.
3. Click on Tools.
4. Click Topic Search. 
5. Search "itemized deductions, choosing"
6. Click on Change my deduction.
7. Choose Itemized Deductions under Which deduction do you want to take this year? 

[bjr1822]

Yes, I think something is wrong. When I look at my amended return that was filed, line 1040:12 clearly states it is taking the standard deduction of 24,800. However, when I go to the "itemized deductions: choosing" page as you recommend, it says that my itemized deduction will be better and should result in a deduction of 25,088 and that TurboTax will choose this deduction. I tell it to choose that deduction explicitly, and yet this results in no change in taxes owed in my amended return, even though according to this, switching to the itemized deduction should result in an additional deduction of $288. It's not a large number, but it should result in a tax difference of roughly $80 or so, right? 

[AmyC · Accepted solution]

No. For 2020, there is a special, up to $300, charity contribution added to the standard deduction.

In your case, standard deduction of $24,800 + $300 is bigger than itemizing by $12.

The program knows the $25k is bigger and tells you itemizing is best. But, the program also knows to use the biggest deduction and correctly chooses standard.

You do not need to amend if it is not pushing you over the edge to itemize. Unless you did not have charity on your original return.

[bjr1822]

Thanks for the explanation, and it makes sense, however THIS IS STILL A BUG. If the standard deduction is better, however you arrived at the "better" calculation, then it should tell me this rather than tell me that itemizing is better, but then doing the opposite when I actually file. So I get why standard is better now that you explained it, but it doesn't change the fact that the TurboTax program told me one thing that it turns out was inaccurate, and then later did something different than it said it was going to do.