topic Itemized deductions in Deductions & credits

Itemized deductions

Chefamanda1 — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:02:05 GMT

I have re-entered my info 4 times online and desktop versions. It isnt allowing me to change to itemized deductions which are higher than the standard. I have tried support and they are of no help. I tried manually checking on forms but it keeps changing back. Help!

Re: Itemized deductions

DoninGA — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:10:23 GMT

Is the amount entered on Schedule A Line 17 greater than the Standard Deduction for your filing status?

Standard deductions for 2025

Single - $15.750 add $2,000 if age 65 or older
Married Filing Separately - $15,750 add $1,600 if age 65 or older
Married Filing Jointly - $31,500 add $1,600 for each spouse age 65 or older
Head of Household - $23,625 add $2,000 if age 65 or older

Re: Itemized deductions

CesarJ — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:14:56 GMT

TurboTax automatically chooses the deduction option that gives you the best tax outcome. If your itemized deductions are higher but TurboTax keeps reverting to the standard deduction, it may be because the total itemized deductions entered are still less than or equal to the standard deduction or there may be a system override.

In TurboTax Desktop, to manually switch to itemized deductions when it keeps reverting to the standard deduction, follow these steps:

1. Open or continue your return.
2. Select Federal Taxes.
3. If using Home & Business, select Personal.
4. Select Deductions & Credits.
5. When asked how you want to enter your deductions, select I'll choose what I work on.
6. Scroll to the bottom of the deductions page and select Done with Deductions.
7. When prompted with The Standard Deduction is Right for You!, select Change my deduction.
8. Choose Itemized Deductions and select Continue to apply the change.

Re: Itemized deductions

Chefamanda1 — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:29:28 GMT

Yes. Its 52248

Re: Itemized deductions

LindaS5247 — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:36:18 GMT

Generally, TurboTax will choose the most beneficial deduction for you to use. If TurboTax is telling you to take the Standard Deduction over itemizing your deductions, it's possible that the box to take the standard deduction was inadvertently checked.

Sometimes taking the Standard Deduction on your federal return results in a better overall tax position when combining your federal and state tax returns. Or if the standard deduction already reduces your taxable income to zero, itemizing provides no real benefit.

You could try manually changing your deduction from the Standard Deduction to Itemized Deductions using the instructions below to see the overall impact.

If you are using TurboTax Online:

In your left panel scroll down to "Tax Tools"
Click on "Tools"
Click on the box "Topic Search"
In the box that says "I'm looking for:" type in "Standard Deduction"
This will take you to the page "Based on what you told us..."
Here you can change your deduction by clicking the box "Change my Deduction"

If you are using TurboTax Desktop:

Go to "Federal Taxes" tab in the gray bar at the top of your screen
Select the "Deductions & Credits" tab (under Federal Taxes in the gray bar at the top of your screen
Click on "I'll Choose What to Work On"
Select "Continue" at the bottom of the page
Select "Continue" on the next page that says "Let's Check Your Deductions and Credits"
Select "Continue" on the next page that says "Here Are Your 2025 Deductions & Credits"
The following page will give you the opportunity to change your deduction by clicking on the box "Change my deduction"

Also, you can review your Tax Summary. It will allow you to see what is happening on the return and review the calculations. You can make changes and then view it again.

To do this:

Click on Tax Tools in the left panel of your TurboTax screen, then click Tools.
Choose View Tax Summary and then click on Preview my 1040.
If you are using TurboTax Desktop, you can switch to Forms Mode by clicking on Forms at the top right of your TurboTax screen.
Then scroll down your list of forms on your left to find Tax Summary.

Click here for information on changing your deduction.

Click here for Standard Deduction vs. Itemized Deductions: Which Is Better?

Please return to Community if you have any additional information or questions and we would be happy to help.

Re: Itemized deductions

SteamTrain — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:51:55 GMT

@Chefamanda1

Did you see this post from a user (cmctjohnson) who found the problem in Forms Mode on the Desktop software??

Re: Turbotax 2025 premier desktop calculates my Schedule A itemized deductions at $42000 (w/ limitations), but defaults to using the standard deduction ($31500) instead??