How do I select Itemized Deductions when the turbotax program is selecting Standard Deduction? I itemized deductions on my entry.

[ward-mann-gmail-]

I itemized deductions as I completed the program - resulting in $1802 tax due amount. But the program puts in the standard deduction resulting in a higher tax due amount of $1814, even though I've clearly selected Itemized deductions.

[SweetieJean]

Your self-employment (Schedule C) expenses don't count towards the ones used for Schedule A itemized deductions (which are then compared to Standard).

Also, not all Schedule A ones count  at 100%. There is a $10,000 cap on states/local/property taxes, and Medical is subject to a 7.5% of AGI floor. 

[ward-mann-gmail-]

More specifically, I entered $5576 in charitable deductions, and the program forced me to enter only $300 for charitable deductions on line 10b of 1040 form.  I wasn't directed at all to complete a Schedule A even though the program said I'd save $12 by doing itemized vs standard deductions.  $12 isn't much. So rather than delay I simply went with the only choice the program was giving me - Standard Deduction. That part was confusing and there was no explanation during the process, at all.

[DaveF1006]

It depends. If you have itemized deductions amounts more than your standard deduction, then it makes more sense to itemize. Try this to see which will give you a bigger return.

1. Log in or open Turbo Tax
2. Go to federal> deductions and credits>
3. When you see the summary for all tax breaks, press continue through all your screens until you see a screen that informs you that the Standard Deduction is Right for you.  Here you have an option to change to itemized deductions. i will include a screenshot at the bottom of this post to illustrate this. 
4. When you change, continue to the next screen to erase the $300 donation that appears. You are only eligible for this if you take the standard deduction.
5. After doing this, if you determine the standard deduction is better after all, go to your itemize deductions and remove your entries and then go back and put the $300 donation back in the end.
6. Here is the screenshot that illustrates the standard deduction screen and what you must do to change to itemized deductions.  make sure you select both boxes illustrated in the screenshot.  If you change your mind, be sure to uncheck these boxes before putting back in the $300 charitable donation at the end.

[ward-mann-gmail-]

Hi Dave. Thanks for trying to help. As of my last post I had already completed both my federal and state returns - both were accepted. So probably too late to make a change, and don't think it would make enough difference to make it worth it. I was just trying to understand a confusing part of the online preparation of my return. Maybe it'll work out better next year.

It just made me wonder why I'm tracking all of these charitable contributions if somehow I'm not eligible to do itemized deductions.... weird !

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

For 2018 - 2020 many taxpayers that itemized in the past will find that they can no longer itemize because the standard deduction has doubled so all of their itemized deduction s no longer exceed the standard deduction.

Only if all itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction will it be of benefit.

Not all itemized deductions count the full amount. Medical expenses are reduced by 7.5% of AGI so if your AGI is $30,000, for example, then only medical expenses more than $2,250 would be an itemized deduction.

The 2018 tax law also caps the total of Sales tax OR State and local income tax, Property (real estate and personal property) taxes at $10,000.

Mortgage interest on loans after Dec 16, 2017 may be limited.

The Mortgage must be secured by the property to qualify.

Interest on home equity loans and lines of credit are deductible only if the borrowed funds are used to buy, build, or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home that secures the loan.

You can check the actual amount of itemized deductions by using the Search Topics for "itemized deductions, choosing" (under "My Account, Tools" in the online versions). Click on "Change my deduction". That will display the actual amount of itemized deductions vs. the standard deduction. (Be sure to uncheck "Change my deduction" after checking it so you do not lock in the wrong deduction.


2020 standard deductions

$12,400 Single
$18,650 Head of Household
$24,800 Married Jointly

Add an additional $1,300 for over age 65 or blind
This amount increases to $1,650 if the taxpayer is also unmarried.

[ward-mann-gmail-]

OK - that's why the program turfed me to the standard deduction. My charitable donations plus the lack of medical, etc didn't add up to enough to exceed the standard deduction since it doubled after 2018 I guess.

It would be helpful if the online program clearly said that my itemized deductions would not have exceeded the standard deduction... which is why it kept steering me to the Standard Deduction.  It confusingly took me to line 10b in the 1040 form where my $5776 in charitable deductions had already been entered and said it needed correction.  I think next time I won't bother trying to itemize.

This answer really helped and reminded me of what happened the last couple of years when I had a tax person preparing my returns for me.  

Thank you.

[Howardlbca]

I need to itemize deductions because my wife and I are filing our tax returns as married filling separately and she is itemizing her deductions.  TurboTax is choosing the standard deduction for me and I don't know how to change that.  I have the downloaded version of the software and I don't have the same screen you posted which shows where you can choose between standard deduction and itemize.  Thanks for your help!

[BillM223]

@Howardlbca

Try this: do a Search (upper right) for itemized deductions, choosing and click on the jump-to link (Mac users must find itemized deductions, choosing in the Topics List).  NOTE: just type in the phrase and hit enter, don't take any of the suggested search terms.

Let us know if this do not get you to where you can choose one or the other.

[snawaz]

how do i know if i took a standard or itemized deduction on last years return

[DoninGA]

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@snawaz wrote:

how do i know if i took a standard or itemized deduction on last years return

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Look at your 2019 federal tax return Form 1040 Line 9.  If you received the Standard Deduction based on your 2019 filing status it will show one of these amounts -

Standard deductions for 2019

• Single - $12,200 add $1,650 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Separately - $12,200 add $1,300 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Jointly - $24,400 add $1,300 for each spouse age 65 or older
• Head of Household - $18,350 add $1,650 if age 65 or older

[suenatkins]

It is to my advantage to itemize for my state taxes but TurboTax keeps choosing the standard deduction and would not let me change.  I found a work around.  Go to forms.  Click on info wks.  Go to part VI and check one of the three boxes.  Hope this helps.  

[Den8]

There appears to be a problem with the Turbo Tax software.  When I go to the summary page it gives me "good news" I'm getting the standard deduction.  But I have more deductions then the standard deduction.  When I go to the next page it says "we have chosen Itemized Deductions for you".  This is not the same as the screen before.  I want to make sure I am getting itemized deductions but it doesn't appear to be the case. Need help making sure the software is operating/calculating correctly.

[JotikaT2]

I recommend doing the following after logging back into TurboTax to determine what deduction is being used.

1. Go back to your Deductions & Credits Screen. 
2. Scroll down to the bottom and select Wrap up Tax Breaks. 
3. You should continue through the screens until you see the following screen: 

Your information will be summarized based upon your input.  You will be able to see the breakdown on this screen.

Please note, TurboTax will select the option which provides the greater tax benefit for you.

Please comment if you are still having issues after reviewing your deduction using the steps above.

@Den8

[Den8 · Accepted solution]

I believe there is a problem with the software but I think I have figured out the issue.  If you have filled in the "Charitable contributions if you take the standard deduction" it will give you both answers unless your itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction plus the amount of the "Charitable contributions if you take the standard deduction".  In the past you could choose to take the itemized deductions even if it was less then the standard deduction, which you might want to do if you end up owing with less in State income taxes the the corresponding increase in Federal taxes (which was my situation a year ago).  It appears the program will not let you do that this year.