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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 11:12:53 AM

I am a resident of Minnesota, so I will be taking the standard deduction for Federal, but itemizing for my State return. Can Turbo Tax process that?

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1 Best answer
New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:12:54 AM

Yes, TurboTax will allow you to use the standard deduction on the federal return and itemize on the Minnesota return, since this is allowed by the state of MN.  Note, that since you want to itemize for the Minnesota return, be sure to enter your itemized expenses in that section of TurboTax when working on your federal form.  This information can then be pulled to your form for Minnesota to create Schedule M1SA to itemize your deductions on the state return. 


Note, that if your itemized deductions allowed for Minnesota are under the standard deduction amount, TurboTax will use the standard deduction for Minnesota as well. 

The standard deduction amounts available to taxpayers on their Minnesota 2018 return are:
• Married filing jointly or surviving spouse: $13,000
• Head of household filing: $9,550
• Single or married filing separately: $6,500
The standard deduction amount for an individual who may be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer cannot exceed
the greater of:
•$1,050 or
• The sum of $350 and the individual’s earned income.
The additional amounts added to the above listed standard deductions for taxpayers that are elderly or blind are:
• Single: $1,600
• Married: $1,300
This revenue notice only applies to the election to claim either the standard deduction or to itemize deductions on the
2018 Minnesota individual income tax return. It does not apply to any other election that a taxpayer makes on their federal individual income tax return. All other elections must be consistent on the taxpayer’s 2018 federal income tax return and their 2018 Minnesota income tax return. Any difference between federal and Minnesota law must be addressed through modifications, including additions and subtractions.  See page 13 of the MN 2018 Forms and Instructions PDF file here: 

Minnesota 2018 Forms and Instructions PDF


[Edited 1-17-18|12:08pm]



24 Replies
New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:12:54 AM

Yes, TurboTax will allow you to use the standard deduction on the federal return and itemize on the Minnesota return, since this is allowed by the state of MN.  Note, that since you want to itemize for the Minnesota return, be sure to enter your itemized expenses in that section of TurboTax when working on your federal form.  This information can then be pulled to your form for Minnesota to create Schedule M1SA to itemize your deductions on the state return. 


Note, that if your itemized deductions allowed for Minnesota are under the standard deduction amount, TurboTax will use the standard deduction for Minnesota as well. 

The standard deduction amounts available to taxpayers on their Minnesota 2018 return are:
• Married filing jointly or surviving spouse: $13,000
• Head of household filing: $9,550
• Single or married filing separately: $6,500
The standard deduction amount for an individual who may be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer cannot exceed
the greater of:
•$1,050 or
• The sum of $350 and the individual’s earned income.
The additional amounts added to the above listed standard deductions for taxpayers that are elderly or blind are:
• Single: $1,600
• Married: $1,300
This revenue notice only applies to the election to claim either the standard deduction or to itemize deductions on the
2018 Minnesota individual income tax return. It does not apply to any other election that a taxpayer makes on their federal individual income tax return. All other elections must be consistent on the taxpayer’s 2018 federal income tax return and their 2018 Minnesota income tax return. Any difference between federal and Minnesota law must be addressed through modifications, including additions and subtractions.  See page 13 of the MN 2018 Forms and Instructions PDF file here: 

Minnesota 2018 Forms and Instructions PDF


[Edited 1-17-18|12:08pm]



New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:12:56 AM

FYI:  I added the MN standard deduction amounts to my answer so you are aware that if your itemized deductions allowed for MN are not greater than the MN standard amount, TurboTax will use the MN standard amount on your MN tax return as well.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:12:57 AM

Wonderful, but unfortunately there is NO option to use M1SA yet. Fix the software please. Turbotax is forcing me to take the standard deduction when I want to itemize on state.

Level 4
Jun 3, 2019 11:12:58 AM

I have similar problem with even new release M1SA form on 1/24/2018.  Mortgage interest from 1040 -1098 form shows correctly but leaves Red Flag on M1SA form even though the numbers are correct and when analyzed asks to correct before filing. It appears there is software problem needs attention and correction. I use Turbo Tax Deluxe CD.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:12:59 AM

I don’t even have the option for M1SA online yet. Why they would allow you to start a MN return with even the most basic forms not available is beyond me.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:00 AM

I wish TurboTax would make this issue more obvious from the start of the return. I only caught it because my MN taxable income seemed way too high!

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:02 AM

I’m on the online version and it keeps forcing the MN standard deduction. It does not seem to be working with the M1SA form yet as our Federal Itemized amount is higher than the 2018 standard deduction.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:03 AM

Try editing one of your federal deductions or adding a deduction (and then deleting it). It will force TT to recalculate. It worked for me.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:06 AM

Do I need to delete my State return before editing a federal deduction? It doesn’t appear to be taking as my state form currently exists.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:07 AM

Got it working! I had to temporarily change my Federal to take the itimezed deduction even though the standard one is larger. Doing that forced MN to take the itemized deduction. I switched the federal return back to the standard deduction and the new MN data kept.

Level 1
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:09 AM

I was already doing itemized for federal, and was still getting the M1SA requirement.  I've changed it back and forth and started MN over and it still hasn't fixed the problem.

Level 4
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:12 AM

I was going to claim standard deduction for both Federal as well as MN state. So I removed 1098 entry Mortgage Payment on Federal Tax Return form. The red Flag cleared and Return is clean for filing.

Level 1
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:13 AM

I've read elsewhere that this was supposed to be available on the 24th of Jan.  I want to itemized both, but I am stuck.

Level 4
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:15 AM

Jan 24 patch did not correct the problem. I am not sure when they are going to correct and respond.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:16 AM

Is this why I can't do itemized deduction on MN? It transfers my federal ( I have itemized) but set the MN as standard (since I can't find the option to itemize my deduction).

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:18 AM

Check Form M1SA, that is for MN State itemized deduction. MN you can have standard or itemized deduction irrespective whether you have taken standard or itemized deduction at Federal.

Level 1
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:19 AM

The most recent turbotax update resolved my issue.  

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:20 AM

But turbo tax doesn't provide the itemized state mn deduction. I reset to put the inputs again and still the same outcome. No option for itemized deduction.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:22 AM

@mingles75  Where do you see the option for itemized deduction?

Level 4
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:23 AM

Check Form M1SA .

Level 1
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:24 AM

@hayer0192 in my case, the system just used whatever was best, I didn't see a specific state option for itemized deductions.  I just checked the paperwork on the return and the M1SA for for itemized deductions is there.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:25 AM

@mingles75 I can't force the system or the system gives me the itemized deduction or form M1SA. This is frustating cause I have re-edited the federal and then re-edited the state and it keeps giving me the standard flow/question and inputs.

Level 4
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:27 AM

TurboTax has been informed of this problem. They are fixing this problem .There will be an update on or after Feb 9. MN state has rejected the returns apparently because of this problem. Wait for an update and then file the return.

Level 1
Jun 3, 2019 11:13:28 AM

@hayer0192 @doclax is correct, I got rejected today pending yet another update... quite frustrating