After you file

If you need to select Itemized deductions because you are married filing separately and your spouse is itemizing, please follow these steps:

1. Click on the Personal Info tab.
2. In the Personal info summary, click on Edit next to your marital status.  [See Screenshot #1, below.]
3. On the next screen, Let's confirm your marital status, mark the buttons for Married and No you don't want to file with your spouse.  Click Continue.  [Screenshot #2]
4. On the screen, Let's see if these apply, mark the first box, Either [spouse] or I claim itemized deductions.  Click Continue.  [Screenshot #3]

This will force TurboTax to itemize deductions, even if it is not as beneficial as the standard deduction.