"Charitable contributions should be blank" : Itemized but TT continues to fill in value and calculate 12c with +600

[mrmarkd]

In my situation, although the charitable contributions and other deductions are under the amount for the standard deduction, because of the impact to the state calculation, it is beneficial to use itemized deductions as the impact on state outweighs the impact on federal.  This may be a bit uncommon.  

When doing the analysis for my return, I get 

"1040/1040SR Wks:  Charitable contributions. Charitable contributions should be blank."

The worksheet shows 12b with a value of 600 that I did not specify.  More concerning is that 12c then shows adding the itemized amount on 12a with the 600 on 12b, thus showing deductions +600 from what my deductions actually are.  

When I blank out 12b, the federal tax recalculates to what it should be without the +600.  

Even if no changes are made, if I go back to analysis screen, then hit continue, TurboTax has changed the value and flags again the error that there is 1 error on the return to be reviewed -- TT put the 600 back and decreased the federal taxes incorrectly.  

[JohnB5677]

There are three places that could possibly have charity information.

Under Deductions & Credits

1. Donations to Charity in 2021 (This is also included below)
2. Charitable Donations
   1. Import from ItsDeductible Online
   2. Donations to Charity in 2021
   3. Charitable Donations Carryover from 2020
3. Wrap Up tax breaks

To check the 3rd item

Online version

1. Go to Deductions & Credits

2. Scroll to the very bottom

3. Select Wrap up Tax Breaks (Online)

4. Continue through the interview to 

5. Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act

6. Enter your donation.

In the Desktop version:

1. Go to Deductions and Credits

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page

3. Select Done with Deductions

4. Let's check your Deductions .. Continue

5. Here are your 2021 Deductions ... Continue

6. The standard deduction is right for you ... Continue

7. GET A TAX BREAK FOR DONATING CASH TO CHARITY

8. Enter your amount

[srager59]

I am having the exact same error.  I also chose to itemize rather than taking the standard deduction due to the state tax impact.  I get the same error where TT puts the amount of $600 in line 12b of the 1040 worksheet which is for charitable contributions only if you take the standard deduction.  It should leave that blank if you choose to itemize since all charitable contributions are already counted when you itemize.  TT realizes it should be blank and flags it as an error.  I remove it as you describe but then when you run the review it puts the $600 back into line 12b and the error returns.   I have tried checking the box forcing itemized deductions but no change.  Sorry no solution but you are not the only one having this problem.

[JamesG1]

In TurboTax online, checking the box does not remove the charitable contribution if it has been entered at the second entry point.

Federal 1040 line 12b Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act can be entered or removed at either:  

• Federal Taxes / Deductions & Credits / Your tax breaks / Donations to Charity in 2021 or
• at the screen Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act immediately following Based on what you just told us, the Standard Deduction is best for you. 

You may have an entry posted at the second area of entry.  If so, you may have to temporarily reduce one or more itemized deduction entries to invoke the screen Based on what you just told us, the Standard Deduction is best for you. 

• At the screen titled Charitable Cash Contributions under the CARES Act, make sure that the box contains $0. 
• Under Deductions & Credits, re-instate the deductions that had been temporarily changed.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Wrap up tax breaks.
• At Other Tax Situations, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Let’s keep going.
• Continue through Review. 

Go to Tax Tools / Tools / View Tax Summary / Preview my 1040 to view line 12b for the charitable deduction.

[mrmarkd]

I am using desktop, not online.

No imports have been done from ItsDeductible Online.

No charitable donations have been carried forward from previous years.  

I have gone to the forms for the worksheet 1040/1040SR  and deleted the value that TT has inserted.  It keeps coming back.

Going through the interview I have not seen the Charitable Cash Contribution Under Cares Act reference (desktop not online), but I also do not see the Get a Tax Break for Donating Cash to Charity referenced.   

The charitable donations entered are well beyond the benefit of the 600.

Since TT keeps putting in the 600, I deleted all but one cash donation that was for $500.  When I go through the scenario and check entries, it was interesting that TT then put $500 for 12B when that was the total cash.  I then changed the cash donation to $123, and now see that TT is putting $123 for line 12B.  If I go above 600 it stays at 600.  

Even with the total below 600, I do not see the referenced Get a Tax Break for Donating Cash to Charity, and TT is using the charity amount to fill in the 12B value with the amount in the cash donations up to 600... seems consistent with my testing.  

[JamesG1]

In TurboTax Desktop versions, you will not see the screen Get a Tax Break for Donating Cash to Charity unless your tax return:

• Qualifies for the standard deduction, and
• Is not reporting cash charitable contributions.

In TurboTax Desktop version, you may want to follow these steps to enter the Federal 1040 line 12b Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act.

• Go to Forms mode and delete the incorrect entry for line 12b on the 1040 Worksheet.
• Return to Step-by-Step and click on Federal Taxes / Deductions & Credits / I'll Choose what I work on but do not enter the charitable donation.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Done with Deductions.
• You will see the screen The Standard Deduction is right for you!  Click Continue.
• At the screen titled Getting a tax break for donating cash to charity, make sure that the box contains the amount of the deduction for which you qualify.  Click Continue.
• At Other Tax Situations, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Done with Other.
• Continue through Federal Review and Smart Check.

Go to Forms to view the Federal 1040 line 12b for the charitable deduction.

[Edited 03/06/2022 10:57 AM PST]

@mrmarkd