How does turbotax software determine standard or itemized deductions? The past five years I itemized my deductions but this year with the relatively same numbers, turbotax assigned me standard when my itemized deductions would have been more deductions.

[VolvoGirl]

If it's giving you the Standard Deduction and  not showing you Schedule A you can check the actual amount of itemized deductions by using by going to

Tax Tools on left

Tools - Topic Search (top left box)

Type in  itemized deductions, choosing.  It should highlight that in the list, click on GO

Then 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.

How to change between the Standard Deduction and Itemized Deductions

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-change-from-the-standard-deduction-to-item...

Deductions that have been suspended for 2018-2025

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-reform/help/which-federal-tax-deductions-have-been-suspended-b...

[Mike9241]

if you are married filing separately the rules change.  if one itemized both must itemize. that's why the spouse must be identified on the taxpayer's return. what if one itemized and one uses the standard deduction? itemizing wins out regardless of who files first. the one taking the standard deduction will get a notice disallowing it so that taxpayer would either have to amend to take whatever itemize deductions they're entitiled to or forgo them completely. 

[Lebaron]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, my deluxe version does not have tool search when clicking on the tools icon nor any other option that would allow me to change the software decision.  As an aside, my tax return this year had the same entries as last year and my itemized data prevailed.  I tried going back to the deductions section and reentering my data but the results were the same. The software told me standard was better and gave me no option to change to itemize.  I then decided to amend since I had already filed and was accepted and that turned out the same as before so I did not amend.  The amount was about $1600+ more than the standard.  I decided to abandon the exercise since Turbotax does not offer any software tech support.  I called support twice but the agents I talked to were as puzzled as I was and could not offer any assistance.  I thought my issue was a relatively simple one to resolve. 

[VolvoGirl]

You should be able to see Schedule A and deductions in any version (except the online Free Edition)

Are you using the Desktop installed program?  

If it's giving you the Standard Deduction and  not showing you Schedule A you have to switch to Forms Mode and open Schedule A from the top of the left column Open Form and pick schedule A out of the list on the right side.

For either the Desktop program or the Online version....

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.

How to change between the Standard Deduction and Itemized Deductions

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-change-from-the-standard-deduction-to-item...

[Lebaron]

Yes, I'm using the desktop installation.  I've gone to forms and opened Sch A but it will not display my deductions and will not allow me to enter them despite the fact that they are displayed in the deductions section.   Keep in mind that now that I have filed and they've been accepted, I don't think forms can be changed.  

Nonetheless, when I tried to amend, I went through the same routine and I could not change the Sch A form to display the deductions.  I would assume that even though the software chose standard deduction that the entries would still be in the Sch A form.  

Right now, I have to talk to someone at TurboTax who is tech savvy and can see the inconsistency here in real time.  Absent that, I'll simply let it go and not file my return next year until I revisit the deduction section.

[ErnieS0]

Some numbers of Schedule A are entered through worksheets.

If you click on the box in Schedule A, a magnifying glass will pop up to take you to the supporting form.

TurboTax also allows you to force itemized deductions.

After the “Your 2022 Deductions & Credits” screen, you will see “xxx, Here Are Your 2021 and 2022 Deductions & Credits." Tap Continue. The next screen is “The Standard Deduction is Right for You!”

There’s a box to Change my deduction. Clicking on the box will give you the option to switch to itemized deductions and will also show what amount of itemized deductions TurboTax believes you have.