topic should turbotax change a federal refund for cash charity contributions when taking the standard deduction? in Deductions & credits

should turbotax change a federal refund for cash charity contributions when taking the standard deduction?

porterdw5k — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:34:53 GMT

(on 2026 federal return)

Re: should turbotax change a federal refund for cash charity contributions when taking the standard deduction?

xmasbaby0 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:39:45 GMT

Your question is kind of unclear, but are you trying to ask about getting a deduction for a cash charity donation while using standard deduction? That will be in effect for your 2026 tax return that you file next year in 2027; on a 2026 return next year, you will be able to enter up to $1000 cash charity donation if filing single, or up to $2000 cash donation on a joint return for a deduction even if using standard deduction.

For your 2025 return---the one you are preparing now--- charity donations including cash donations go to Schedule A with other itemized deductions like mortgage interest, property tax, etc. the same as always. Unless your itemized deductions exceed your standard deduction, they have no effect on your tax due or refund.

Re: should turbotax change a federal refund for cash charity contributions when taking the standard deduction?

DoninGA — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:39:58 GMT

No. You report the cash contribution based on your records for tax year 2026.

Re: should turbotax change a federal refund for cash charity contributions when taking the standa...

MinhT1 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:40:23 GMT

Beginning with tax year 2026, if you do not itemize, you may deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 if filing jointly) of your cash contributions to certain qualified organizations.

See this IRS document.

As this is only for tax year 2026, this has no effect on your 2025 tax return or refund.