This is very frustrating. The design/programming/coding could be much more logical. I enter my itemized deductions, including cash contributions, knowing that I'm better off with the standard deduction. The 1040 shows the amount of my cash contributions but only shows a $300 deduction even though I am filing married/joint. That is the first issue.
After I get the message that I am better off taking the standard deduction, I am not asked for my cash contributions for non itemizers unless I go back and delete only my cash contributions entered under Deductions and Credits.
In order to get a valid comparison of itemized vs standard, you have to include ALL contributions. Since the 1040 already recognized the cash contributions entered under Deductions and Credits, it should be easy to calculate the deduction for non-itemizers based on the filing status.
