Choose itemized button not working, keeps saying I'm selecting the standard deduction, frustrating!

[KathrynG3]

There are a few ways to trigger itemizing deductions. The main way would be to have more itemized deductions than your standard deduction. For more information, see: How do I change from the standard deduction to itemized (or vice-versa)?

TurboTax must be allowed to calculate it. At the end of the Deductions and Credits section, select Done with Tax Breaks.

Be sure that there is no value entered in the Cares Act section except for what TurboTax is calculating. Highlight the box and delete any contents.

@jvpetito

[MtnTABS]

TurboTax Deluxe CD/Download Windows 2020

Married Filing Jointly husband deceased 2/24/20. Thank you for your attention. My problem is not in Federal (completed and approved by TurboTax but not yet eFiled). I went through all the Steps in Federal including itemizing deductions and there is a Schedule A in FORMS to prove it. TurboTax then told me two Standard deductions were better which I expected and I approved. I finished my Fed and my Montana return immediately began.

There it said Married Filing Separate was best so I went ahead and spent the whole weekend allocating figures from our 2019 return. Finally I reached a screen that says: MONTANA ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS MFSC - “To itemize deductions on your Montana return, you must go back to your federal return and enter your federal itemized deductions there. Then return here and allocate your deductions between you and your spouse.”

 I already did this in my Federal return. Even though I chose standard deductions for Fed,  the Schedule A is still sitting in FORMS and under FORMS below Montana there is Form 2-Page 7-2020 Itemized Deductions Schedule showing the allocation amounts between me and my dec’d. husband. I desperately want to find a fix for this problem but none of my requests have been answered. I’ve checked for updates. Nada. Why haven’t itemized deductions flowed to State or why doesn’t this software recognize it is already sitting there? I surely hope that you can help me. Thank you.

[CARWGON]

HOW CAN I CHANGE STANDARD TO ITEMIZED DEDUCTION

[Cynthiad66]

We automatically select the deduction that gives you the best outcome on your federal taxes. Most 2020 federal tax filers will be better off with the standard deduction versus the itemized deduction.

In TurboTax, you can always switch to a different deduction. However, if you and your spouse are filing separate federal returns, both of you must take the same deduction per IRS rules.

Tip: It's best to hold off on switching until after you've finished going through the Deductions & Credits section. That way you can get an accurate picture of how both deductions affect your bottom line. Also, keep in mind that switching to the other federal deduction may impact your state tax return.

TurboTax Online instructions

TurboTax CD/Download instructions

What about my state?

[JJS3]

That's usually correct.  But a quick read of the subject of this thread and many of the entries should be of interest to TurboTax.  For many people, there was (still is?) a bug that causes the user's choice to be overridden by Turbotax, resulting in a big problem when they get to their state taxes.  For me, this occurred when my deductions were just slightly more than the standard deduction, and TT rolled me back to Standard Deduction (while stating it was using Itemized as I wanted) no matter what option I selected.  I spent an entire weekend figuring out how to trick TT into using Itemized so it didn't cost me $1000 on my state (VA) taxes.  That was a few months ago now, and I'd like to think they fixed it but I suspect they have not.

[lkng67]

I bought Turbo Tax premier which allows rentals to be entered. I also have to add my real estate sales. I bought it via Amazon. It was supposed to be $85 but it was discounted. It is not free. I could not get a Turbo Tax advisor. They said they don’t give tax advice.

I want software advice. My husband and I file separately. We have to itemize. Please help.

[lkng67]

I bought Turbo Tax premier which allows rentals to be entered. I also have to add my real estate sales. I bought it via Amazon. It was supposed to be $85 but it was discounted. It is not free. I could not get a Turbo Tax advisor. They said they don’t give tax advice.

I want software advice. My husband and I file separately. We have to itemize. Please help.

Note: I saw others are having the same issue and a link was posted. It wont let me access the link

[xmasbaby0]

If you are filing separate returns then you both have to file the same way.   If one of you itemizes then the other spouse is required to itemize.    Did you tell the software that you are filing separate returns and that you are itemizing?  

HOW TO FORCE ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900142-how-do-i-change-from-the-standard-deduction-to-itemized-or...

And....filing MFS is usually the worst way to file----why are you doing that?

If you were legally married at the end of 2021 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $25,100 (+$1350 for each spouse 65 or older)  You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit. 

If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return. Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

 If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-married-filing-jointly-vs-married-filing-separately

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901162-married-filing-separately-in-community-property-states

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894449-is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-separ...

[AnnetteB6]

When you use the Married Filing Separate filing status there will be a series of questions that you must answer in the Personal Info section of your return.  One of these questions will ask whether your spouse or you claim itemized deductions.  Checking that box will lock your return into claiming itemized deductions and you won't have to worry about changing it later.  

As mentioned by Champ xmasbaby0, there are some drawbacks to using the Married Filing Separate filing status, but there are also valid reasons to do so.  

@lkng67

[dj-allen-family]

I've been perusing all these troubleshooting options, and I'm having the same problem with the "Change My Deduction" button not working. I choose itemized, it keeps the standard. I choose standard, and it keeps the standard. I've tried logging out and back in; deleting and re-doing some sections; and I just finished previewing the 1040, and it indeed is selecting the standard deduction. Is there a fix?

[dj-allen-family]

It is still not fixed. I'm running into the same issue. 

[lkng67]

Go back to the deduction process and select itemized and then itemize. At the bottom.of deductions do.not hit continue but click the tab that takes you to the next topic.  I found by ignoring continue it allows you to take the deductions. 

I will say that I also noticec it was not including my mortgage  interest at all. At the end, during review I found a lot of "review" items where I had to.manually input data that was not transferring from the application. It took me a long time to do this before it passed the review.

I tried calling for Intuit help but was told they did not give tax advice. I just wanted application advice since the program was so buggy this year.

I bought the insurance coverage but wonder if Intuit will really be there for me if something happens? I bought an upgrade to premier which was annoying

I notice they don't ascend you  refund themselves any more.

Hope you get this to work for you.

[lkng67]

Send* not ascend*

[pat111_]

you can get help calling 1 800-446-8848, just keep saying tax specialist over and over again.

[HeatherPLO]

@pat111_

We need some additional information to be able to assist you further.  What is the exact error message you are getting?  

Please post here in the thread and someone will reach out with the next steps.