I elected to file standard deduction for federal but the state defaulted to itemized deductions

[DesertDrifter]

How do I change the state (CA) filing to the standard deduction?  I was able to do that in the Federal form, but the state form did not prompt for this and defaulted to itemized deductions.  

[DesertDrifter]

Looking at the form it says to enter the larger of the itemized deductions from Schedule CA (540) Part II, line 30 or the standard deduction.  However, there is no Part II line 30 shown on the set of forms that is shown.  It jumps from line 19 (under taxable income) to line 31 (under Tax).

[VolvoGirl]

I have CA.  You are looking at the 540 return.  You need to look at the California Adjustments on  Schedule CA(540).  It should be right after the 540 return.  The extra CA in the name is probably confusing.    This one.....

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2023/2023-540-ca.pdf 

[MarilynG1]

If your state defaulted to Itemized Deductions for you, it could be that your state is allowing some deductions that your Federal return did not, making itemized your best choice for your state return. 

@DesertDrifter 

[DesertDrifter]

There is no Schedule CA (540) form.  There is a schedule A form, but since I selected to use the standard deduction for the federal filing, the state should not look at Schedule A, right?  The income was not high enough to need medical expenses which is why I filed the federal using the standard deduction.

[DesertDrifter]

Is there a way to make the state not use the itemized deductions?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

If you want to file the Standard Deduction for Calif (which is Single $5,363 or Joint 10,726) go back to federal and delete some deductions you might have entered like Medical, Taxes, Mortgage Int,  Charity etc.  Even if those are not used on federal they flow over to the state.   

[VolvoGirl]

I don't know why you can't find the California Schedule CA(540).  It should be right after the 540 return. The pdf file should have the federal 1040, then any federal schedules and forms, then the 540 then the CA(540) etc.  There might be another federal set at the end that would go with the CA return.  

Why do you have a federal Schedule A if you are taking the Standard Deduction?  Oh and  yes the state will look at the federal schedule A deductions you entered to see if they can be used for state.  

What do you have on the 540 line 18 for Itemized or Standard Deduction?  Why do you you want to take the Standard Deduction  if the itemized deductions are more?  

[DesertDrifter]

Thanks for your input.  I removed the item on the federal deductions and redid the state.  There was no need to report 6 months of nursing home costs on the federal before the person passed away when their income was below the standard deduction limit for the year.  I did see the CA 540 form you mentioned when I printed the forms.  I did not see it in the list of forms in TT desktop.  Perhaps I just missed it.  Thanks again for your help

[VolvoGirl]

OK glad you got it worked out.