How much should be put on the "additions" portion of charitable contributions on the "Other California adjustments to income?" Should it be the total amount donated?

[ciraya]

The page instructions show Charitable Contributions for Fed as $300 and then a subtraction for $300. I donated more than $300 last year, but Fed only allows for $300 for standard deductions. For the CA state tax, I thought the deduction would also be standard. But when I put my total charitable donations for the year in the addition, then the refund significantly increases. This increase seems wrong. So, I wonder if I am interpreting the "additions" incorrectly and am curious as to how it should be completed.

[MaryK4]

Yes, the California additions for the charitable contribution is $300 (or the amount you claimed on the federal tax return) if you did not itemize.

Following tax law changes, cash donations of up to $300 made by December 31, 2020 are now deductible without having to itemize when people file their taxes in 2021.

California does not conform to the CARES Act for charitable contributions, so it its an addition to the California income if you took it on the federal return.  

[trblsome]

What if we donated more than the $300? Does California allow you to deduct the additional amount?

[JoannaB2]

Under CARES ACT, taxpayers who take Standard Deduction can take a charitable cash donations to a qualified non-profit organization up to $300 as adjustment to income.  

California doesn't conform to the federal Cares Act charitable deduction. If you take the deduction as adjustment to income, you may have to do an adjustment on your California income tax return and  enter the amount of charitable deduction as subtraction.  To do an adjustment in California income tax return:

• In Turbo Tax Home screen, click State.
• Click continue until you get to Other California Adjustment to Income.
• In Charitable Contribution, enter the amount of charitable deduction under Subtraction box.  Note: Federal amount displays on the left box under Federal.