How do I uncheck box 18 on Schedule A

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

Enter itemized deductions, choosing in the Search box located in the upper right of the program screen.  Click on Jump to itemized deductions, choosing

Change the deduction method

[handms]

This does not seem to reflect Turbo tax 2020.  How can I uncheck box 18 on Schedule A?

[sfeldma2]

agreed.  Does not work to unselect line 18, sch a.  Anyone have an answer

[DoninGA]

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@sfeldma2 wrote:

agreed.  Does not work to unselect line 18, sch a.  Anyone have an answer

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See this TurboTax support FAQ for how to change to itemized deduction from standard deduction - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-change-from-the-standard-deduction-to-item...

[DaveF1006]

@sfeldma2 It depends. It sounds like you entered itemized deductions then discovered the standard deduction was better. now the question is, how do you remove?

1. If you are using the software version vs the online version, you can simply go to the forms mode>go to Schedule A>then uncheck the box.
2. If you are using the online version, go to federal>deductions and credits>continue through the entire section until you reach a page that says the Standard Deduction is right for you. Check toward the bottom of the page and right above the Change My Deduction button, see if there is text that says You've chosen itemized deductions, so let's keep going and lock that in for you. If you see this, select change deduction to change back to claim the standard deduction.
3. To be on the safe side, go to tools>tax tools>delete a form>delete Schedule A.
4. Let me know if this helps.  Love to hear your feedback.

[sfeldma2]

Thank you, but this does not help.  I have both the software and online versions.  For the software, I go to the form but it will not let me uncheck the box.   For the online, switching does not help because it gives me the standard deduction of 25100 instead of the over 65 deduction of 27800.  I do not want to delete Sch A because I need the deductions for my state taxes.

After some effort, I go the software version to recognize the 27800 number which was higher than my itemized deductions, but when I click to accept the standard, it raised my taxes due.

Also, TT is adding in either 300 or 600 dollars for charitable contributions even when I am using itemized.

I definitely need help.  Thx

[KrisD15]

Are you within $600 between your Itemized and Standard deduction amounts? 

I ask, because it seems that if the program "knows" that if you take the Standard Deduction, even if it is a bit lower, once you add 600 as charitable cash donations, you'll be ahead of Itemizing, and it makes it difficult for you to select Itemized. 

If this is your case, when you select Standard, your tax might increase until the charitable cash donation is entered. 

And that is not asked until the very end of the review. 

If you think this might be the situation you are in, I suggest the following:

Please return to the Deductions & Credits section, scroll down to "Charitable Donations" and DELETE any cash entries you made there. 

(NOTE: Some states allow you to Itemize Deductions when taking the Standard Deduction on the Federal Return. To include the cash charitable donations as an Itemized Deduction on your STATE return, you can enter the donations as "Items" select "I'll value them, select "Other intangible property" enter the description as CASH, since it was, and the amount as the value.)

Go back through the review. The program will ask you for your charity donation again although it may not be until after the state return is finished, at the END of the FINAL REVIEW.  (After the "Tax Summary for 2021" screen)

 Enter the amount up to 600 Married Filing Joint.

The Tax law allows a Taxpayer to claim Charity Donations on their Schedule A or, if using the Standard Deduction, on their 1040 line 12b as an addition to their Standard Deduction amount. 

This amount can be up to 600 for Married Filing Joint, or 300 for all others. 

[sfeldma2]

Itemized is 27008 and standard is 27800.  So I am just over the 600.  It had occurred to me the program was trying to make the adjustment in the background.  So I just deleted my interest deduction which lowered my itemized by 11000.  Then the standard deduction when up to 27800 but it only added 300 for the extra charitable even though we are filing jointly.  It is all very confusion and needs explanation.

Regarding deleting the charitable and then adding the 600 back in, that never should up - i went all the way through the fed and state.

I was also unclear on deleting the charitable from the fed and adding back to the state.  Where on the state return do I add that back in.

Thx

[DaveF1006]

It depends.If I understand this correctly, you want to claim the standard deduction for federal, and itemize for the state. What state is this in? Some states have a provision in the software where you are able to take the standard deduction for the federal, and itemize for the states. Other states will conform to federal standards, meaning that you will need to take the same deduction for both returns.

If this is the case, then you need to prepare two returns. If you are using Turbo Tax Online, you will need to set up a second account to do this. If using the software, then you will not need to do this.

1. One that itemizes deductions for both federal and state
2. One that takes the standard deduction for both federal and state.
3. In the the second example, you will electronically file the federal return and indicate you will mail your state because this state return will not be sent to the state.
4. In the first example, you will indicate that both returns must be mailed because you do not want to send in the federal by efile since this is not the return that will be submitted to the federal government. You will print and mail the state return in accordance with the filing and mailing instructions. 

Confusing I know but most states because of the way their tax code is setup will not allow a different deduction standard. There are a few exceptions however.

Here are my instructions on how to clear itemized deductions to claim the standard deduction.

1. If working in the online version go to federal>deductions and Credits>charitable donations
2. Go to Donations to Charity in 2021 and remove all charitable donations from this section.
3. Now Scroll to the very bottom
4. Select Wrap up Tax Breaks (Online)
5. Continue through the interview until you reach a message informing you that the Standard Deduction is Right for you.
6. The very next screen will say "Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act"
7. Enter your donation.

If you are working in Desktop first remove all charitable donations as described above. After this is done, perform the following steps while you are working in the deductions and credit section.

1. Scroll to the bottom of the page
2. Select Done with Deductions
3. Let's check your Deductions .. Continue
4. Here are your 2021 Deductions ... Continue
5. The Standard deduction is right for you ... Continue
6. GET A TAX BREAK FOR DONATING CASH TO CHARITY
7. Enter your amount