This is a known software issue. The workaround is to delete the $300 in the error check. Then go back to Deductions & Credits and enter the contribution there, in the Donations to Charity topic. Then click Done with Donations and proceed through the screens until you get to the screen that tells you that TurboTax has added in the contribution.
The contribution will be back on Form 1040 line 10b, but it won't be flagged as an error. It only gets flagged if you enter it when prompted after you finish Deductions & Credits and the software tells you that you are getting the standard deduction. It will not get flagged if you enter it in Donations to Charity.
If this doesn't solve the issue, please try the following:
- Click Deductions and Credits
- Select Review/Edit
- Click Edit to the right of Standard Deduction
Click OK, Sounds Good
- Click Wrap Up Tax Breaks
- Click Continue
- Make sure that $300 is filled in and then click Continue
- Click Lets Keep Going
If the error persists:
- In TurboTax select Federal in the panel on the left
- Select Deductions & Credits at the top of the page
- Under Your Tax Breaks - Charitable Donations, follow the prompts
- Click START to the right of Donations to Charity in 2020
- Click YES
- Click ADD next to Money
- Type in the name of the charity that you donated to
- Type the amount of the donation
- Select Done with Donation
- Select Done
Now the deduction should appear on Line 10B and in the Charitable Contributions screen.
How the CARES act changes deducting charitable contributions made in 2020
Previously, charitable contributions could only be deducted if taxpayers itemized their deductions.
However, taxpayers who don't itemize deductions may take a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made in 2020 to qualifying organizations. For the purposes of this deduction, qualifying organizations are those that are religious, charitable, educational, scientific or literary in purpose. The law changed in this area due to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Keep in mind, it is very important to keep records of your charitable contributions. If the IRS asks about them later, they will be denied if you don't have a record, receipt, letter, etc.
