Switching to itemized deductions from standard deduction

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I'm on desktop version. I try to switch from standard deduction to itemized deduction, but it won't let me. Either way the refund is the same, but I have medical expenses that can be carried forward, so I want to itemize.

After calling Turbo Tax, I was told the 'only' option is to clear everything and start from the beginning.

Does anyone know of a better way?

xmasbaby0

Level 15

What do you mean by "medical expenses that can be carried forward?" Only medical expenses that you paid in 2025 can be entered on a 2025 tax return. If you mean you want to try to deduct them on a state return, enter them in the federal software and they will flow to the state return.

MEDICAL EXPENSES

The medical expense deduction has to meet a rather large threshold before it can affect your return. The amount of medical (including dental, vision, etc.) expenses that will count toward itemization is the amount that is OVER 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You should only enter the amount that you paid in 2025—do not include any amounts that were covered by insurance or that are still outstanding. Of course, your medical expenses plus your other itemized deductions still have to exceed your standard deduction before you will see a difference in your tax due or refund.

To enter your medical expenses go to Federal>Deductions and Credits>Medical>Medical Expenses

2025 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $15,750 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $15,750 (65 or older/legally blind +1600)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $31,500 (65 or older/legally blind + $1600)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $23,625 (65 or older/legally blind + $2000)

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

Bridget23611Author

Level 2

Thank you SO much for your reply. So I learned that I cannot carryforward medical expenses from 2025 to 2026 since I"ve posted my question, but thank you just the same.

But I understand everything else you said and have followed all of those rules and still my itemized deductions are 'more' than the standard deduction and yet even after changing to itemized deductions, it reverts back to standard. My schedule A shows that I am itemizing my deductions with all the details that I've verified and yet turbo tax says it is still using the standard deduction.

But I read in turbo tax that even if itemized deductions are less than the standard, which mine are not, you should be able to choose itemized deductions in turbo tax. It is not allowing me to change.

Why not? Thank you!