Deductions & credits

You are correct that a Married Filing Joint return is allowed a $600 charitable contribution while using the Standard Deductions for tax year 2021.  The previous limit was $300.  However, making that change in the TurboTax program has not been smooth.  

There is a workaround provided by Expert JotikaT2 that will allow you to continue with your return without encountering the error. 

Use the following steps to revisit the Charitable Contributions section of your return:

1. Click on the Federal Taxes tab.
2. Select the Deductions & Credits tab.
3. On the screen titled How do you want to enter your deductions and credits?, select I'll choose what I work on.
4. Scroll down to Charitable Donations.
5. Select Update to the right of Donations to Charity in 2021.
6. You will see a screen titled Review All Your Charities.
7. To the right of any deductions entered, select Delete to remove any input.
8. You will then select Done with Charitable Donations.
9. On the next page (Deductions), scroll down to the bottom and click on Done with Deductions.
10. Proceed through the following screens until you pass the screen letting you know you are getting the Standard Deduction.  
11. The next screen titled Charitable Cash Contributions under the Care Act will allow you to enter your charitable contributions for 2021.  Enter your total cash contributions on this screen and select Continue.