topic How do itemize deductions for California when I'm using the standard deduction for federal taxes? in Deductions & credits

How do itemize deductions for California when I'm using the standard deduction for federal taxes?

bahamareef — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:18:09 GMT

Turbotax won't let me enter them.

Re: How do itemize deductions for California when I'm using the standard deduction for federal ta...

MonikaK1 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 18:52:05 GMT

Enter all of your itemizable deductions in the Federal section of TurboTax, including any miscellaneous deductions that aren't deductible on the Federal return but may be deductible for California. TurboTax will automatically calculate whether you have enough to exceed the Federal standard deduction and will transfer the deductions that can be claimed on your California return when you begin the state return.

If your California return shows the standard deduction, this may mean that you didn't have enough deductions to exceed the California standard deduction.

To preview your California return in TurboTax Online:

On the left-hand side of your screen, click Tax Tools
Click Tools
On the window that pops up, click View Tax Summary
On the left-hand side of your screen, click CA Tax Summary. Look for the line Itemized/Standard Deduction.

Re: How do itemize deductions for California when I'm using the standard deduction for federal ta...

bahamareef — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 18:57:50 GMT

Thank you so much, however TurboTax won't allow me to enter the medical deductions! I did enter a fake number just to keep going, but now it won't let me change that number. It says it's already determined it won't help me....

Re: How do itemize deductions for California when I'm using the standard deduction for federal ta...

MonikaK1 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 19:15:27 GMT

For 2022, you can only deduct unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), found on line 11 of your 2022 Form 1040. California follows the Federal guidelines for this item.

To edit and update medical expenses already entered:

Federal / Deductions & Credits / Your tax breaks / Medical / Medical Expenses.
Click Start / Edit / Add to the right.
Each screen will ask you about a specific medical expense.

See this TurboTax Help.

See here for information from the Franchise Tax Board comparing Federal and California deduction criteria.

Re: How do itemize deductions for California when I'm using the standard deduction for federal ta...

bmoz — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 18:12:38 GMT

After starting my 2024 California state income taxes, I went back to federal and entered deductions. I still do best on Federal taxes with the standard, but I would do better in California with itemized. However, I cannot seem to trigger the change to itemized in California now.

Re: How do itemize deductions for California when I'm using the standard deduction for federal ta...

MayaD — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 18:30:14 GMT

After you enter all your itemized deductions in the federal continue and go over CA return so information will flow to your state return.

Turbo Tax will then compare your itemized deduction with your CA standard deduction and select the deduction that is beneficial to you.