Enhanced Deduction for Seniors not generating for Married Filing Separately

[user17692275922]

I've read through other responses about the Enhanced Deduction for Seniors not generating for some people. I narrowed it down to the Married Filing Separately filing status. Data does not appear in Schedule 1-A or in the tax return when I select Married Filing Separately. But when I change the filing status to Married Filing Jointly or Single, it generates correctly. Unfortunately, I cannot file our taxes with either status.

Is there a way to override this problem and somehow enter the updated information into the 1040 form? If not, how soon can this be fixed? I'd really hate it if I spent $55 on unusable tax software.

[SteamTrain · Accepted solution]

Sorry, but the $6000 isn't available at all if you MFS.  Only "up-to" 12,000 if MFJ.

The actual Schedule 1-A form the IRS notes the following  (I bolded the appropriate part):

"Caution: You and/or your spouse must have a valid social security number. If married, you must file jointly to claim this deduction."

@user17692275922 

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry if you are married you have to file Joint.  See IRS Sch 1-A

[mikewardle]

We are filing jointly with valid SS numbers yet line 35 Schedule 1A offers $6000 not the $12000 it should.

[Vanessa A]

Were both of you 65 or older on or before December 31, 2025?  If not, then only the one who was over 65 is eligible for the senior deduction. 

If you were BOTH 65 or older on December 31, 2025 what is on line 37?  Line 35 is simply determining if your deduction is limited.  If not, you will see $6,000 on both line 36a and 36b on Schedule 1-A.  

If your income is above $75,000 ($150,000 if Married filing jointly) the bonus deduction decreases by $.06 for every dollar over the relevant amount. This is what is being calculated on line 35.  

[VolvoGirl]

@mikewardle   The deduction is on line 37, not 35.  Do you have 12,000 on line  37?

Read line 35, it says....Subtract line 34 from $6,000.   $6,000 is the max for line 35. Because the reduction is calculated on each person's 6,000, even on a Joint return, when both spouse's are over 65.

[mikewardle]

I see the final IRS calculation is as shown in turbotax---I was looking at a draft calculation.