How do I change my state deductions from standard to itemized ?

[LenaH]

Can you clarify which state you are referring to so we can assist you further?

[Chram7]

New York

[SabrinaD2]

Many states allow you to take a different deduction than what you took on the federal return. For example, Arizona lets you itemize even if you took the federal standard deduction. 

When starting your state taxes in TurboTax, you'll be asked which deduction you want to take, assuming your state gives you that option

To change your state deductions from standard to itemized in TurboTax, follow these steps:

1. Open or Continue Your Return: Sign in to your TurboTax account and open or continue your tax return.
2. Navigate to the "State Taxes" section.
3. Select Your State from the drop down menu
4. Select Deduction Type: Look for option to check for deductions or itemize. This option is usually found in the "Deductions and Credits" section of your state return.

Reach back out with your state name and we can provide more specific guidance

For more detailed instructions, you can refer to these TurboTax articles:

• How to Change from Standard to Itemized Deductions

[stoopsale]

NY State allows itemization regardless of whether you itemized federal taxes[1].  The instructions given do not work:

1. Select Deduction Type: Look for option to check for deductions or itemize. This option is usually found in the "Deductions and Credits" section of your state return.

---

There is no option by that name on TT desktop.  Please instruct me where to find such an option in the NY State version?

Per [1], NY State permits deducting itemized medical expenses, but there is no option in the state deductions/credits section of TT to specifically enter medical expenses, either.

Please help!

[1] https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/file/itemized-deductions-2024.htm

[MonikaK1]

Enter all of your itemizable deductions in the Federal section even if you didn't have enough to exceed the Federal standard deduction. TurboTax will then flow all of the information to your state return. For states such as New York and California that don't conform to federal law restricting itemized deductions, the deductions should automatically appear on the state return. 

Once you've entered everything on the Federal return, complete the state return interview in TurboTax in order to make any needed changes to income, deductions or credits. 

@stoopsale 

[stoopsale]

I know how to proceed from a federal to a state return and have clicked through the state return.  What I don't see is a place in the state return where I can choose whether to itemize on the state return or to choose the state's standard deduction.  That option is not presented anywhere that I can find.  It should be an option, though, because my state permits itemizing even if using the federal standard deduction.

[KeshaH]

TurboTax will automatically choose the best option based on the calculations. If you've entered itemized deductions and TurboTax is calculating that your standard is best, you may have limitations or other adjustments on your Form 196 (itemized deductions) that is bringing your total itemized deduction down below the standard. If you're using TurboTax Desktop, you can view the Form 196 and 196 Adjustment worksheet to see how the deduction is calculated.