2025 Charitable deductions - Error when contributing both cash and stock to a charity

[rick466]

I donate both stock and cash to two charities.  In both cases, I get an error on the Form where the "Charitable Organization Questions" (page 3) #1, 2, and 3 are left blank by TurboTax even though I completed them in the Step-By-Step questionnaire.  If I try to check the boxes (in my case, 1 is Yes, 2 and 3 are No), the boxes turn red and result in an error on the form.  This only happens for charities with donations of both cash and stock. 

INTUIT, PLEASE FIX THIS ERROR.

[rick466]

MORE DETAILS:  TurboTax has an error when reporting charitable deductions of both cash and stock to the same organization.  It will accept the entries, and report it correctly on the Charitable Donations screen, but then if I view the form for the donations to that organization I get an error that is impossible to resolve.  Specifically, I get red marks (screenshot below). I'm guessing that it gets confused by having 2 different types of donations to the same organization, but the software clearly allows me to select more than one when defining the donation type(s) in the Step-By-Step mode.

[rick466]

Moderator: I’ve gotten no response in over a month, and no updates have addressed this error. Is someone at Intuit paying attention this error?

[MonikaK1]

I have tested this in a return in TurboTax Desktop and did not get the same error you described. I was able to enter both stock and cash donations to the same organization and it didn't produce an error.

If you override an entry in TurboTax Desktop, the program will display a message in Review. You can override entries in Desktop, but if the override affects a calculation, it could invalidate the  100% Accurate Calculation Guarantee.

We have noted that the program is changing the evaluation method for donations of stock from Average Share Price to Comparative Sales and have reported it, but it doesn't affect filing. What you are seeing also doesn't appear likely to affect filing. Some displays have been found to be unique to a user's device and setup.

In order for us to troubleshoot this issue, you could choose to send us a “diagnostic” file that has your “numbers” but not your personal information. If you would like to do this, here are the instructions for TurboTax Desktop users:

1. From the black bar at the top of your screen, select Online
2. Click Send Tax File to Agent
3. Click Send on the message that pops up
4. TurboTax will create a "sanitized" copy of your return information with no personal info
5. Post the full token number here in this thread

We will then be able to review your file to see what you are seeing, and we can determine what is going on in your return and provide you with a suggested resolution.

[rick466]

Thanks, but I am not comfortable sending my data file.  I provided the screenshot, which clearly shows that something is wrong. Unfortunately TurboTax provides absolutely no indication of what causes these error messages.  I have done the donations both thru the interview method and reviewing/editing the actual form.  Neither method gets rid of these 3 red errors.  And it is consistent; the three charities to which I have donated both public stock and cash result in the same errors.  And yes, it is annoying that the valuation method for the stock mysteriously changes from Average Sales Price to Comparative Sales every time I try to update the entries.  

[MarilynG1]

Try deleting form 8453 and the Charitable Donation worksheets from your return.  Close TurboTax and re-open it, and perform a Manual Update and re-enter your donations.

Updates are added every Friday, and this issue has been resolved.

I would also suggest that you Enable LAN in the icon to the left of the URL address in your browser.  Maybe your updates are being blocked.

@rick466