Is anyone seeing the $300 charitable donations deduction for non-itemizers?

[DoodlebugLarson]

I'm so confused. Exactly how do I make sure I get the charitable standard deduction? Sorry to be so dense. Seriously. 

[DoodlebugLarson]

I'm so confused.  Help, please.  I'm seriously dense, I'm afraid. 

[JohnB5677]

@DoodlebugLarson  No worries!! 

First, you must clear all donations from the Deductions & Credits input screen

Online version

1. Go to Deductions & Credits

2. Scroll to the very bottom

3. Select Wrap up Tax Breaks (Online)

4. Continue through the interview to 

5. Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act

6. Enter your donation.

In the Desktop version:

1. Go to Deductions and Credits

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page

3. Select Done with Deductions

4. Let's check your Deductions .. Continue

5. Here are your 2021 Deductions ... Continue

6. The standard deduction is right for you ... Continue

7. GET A TAX BREAK FOR DONATING CASH TO CHARITY

8. Enter your amount

[eastmeetswest31]

For 2021, not seeing the up to $600 charitable donations deduction for non-itemizers.  Where do I enter this?

[mjhatten]

FWIW:

I entered all my deductibles but did not have enough.  TurboTax 2021 chose the Standard Deduction for me.  The 1040 form it generated showed the $600 charitable deduction for Standard Deduction filers.  It worked just the way it was supposed to.

[cjlang]

Yeah.  That's exactly the way I've been saying it should work.  Not all these work arounds.  Someone finally woke up.

[eastmeetswest31]

Thanks for  your help - I had completely bypassed Schedule A since I knew we had to take the Standard Deduction.  When I went back and entered the cash charity contributions, it pulled the $600 right onto the 1040.

Surely this is info that should be made part of the normal flow.

[drlakecharterminet]

I have the $300 deduction for 2020 but when I try the 2021 return it is rejected because I show the wrong prior year AGI.  I've tried both the $300 amount and the prior year AGI without the $300 deduction.  Both ways are rejected.  Now its getting close to filing deadline  so I don't have much time!

[DoninGA]

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@drlakecharterminet wrote:

I have the $300 deduction for 2020 but when I try the 2021 return it is rejected because I show the wrong prior year AGI.  I've tried both the $300 amount and the prior year AGI without the $300 deduction.  Both ways are rejected.  Now its getting close to filing deadline  so I don't have much time!Y

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 You have to enter the 2020 AGI as reported on the 2020 federal tax return that you filed, Form 1040 Line 11.

If you entered the correct 2020 AGI and it was rejected then enter a 0 (zero) for the 2020 AGI and e-file the 2021 tax return again.

[semma]

I have the desktop/CD version of TT Premier?  I have imported my charitable donations from ItsDeductible, but I am not getting the $300 deduction.   I heard there's some "interview questions" to complete.  How do I get to the interview question/process from desktop version?

[cjlang]

The $300 deduction is based on cash donations only.

[JamesG1]

To qualify for the deduction, 

• you must have reported charitable contributions paid in cash, and 
• you must qualify for the Standard Deduction on your tax return.

In TurboTax Desktop version, follow these steps to enter the Federal 1040 line 12b Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act.

• In Step-by-Step, click on Federal Taxes / Deductions & Credits / I'll Choose what I work on.
• Make sure that you have charitable donations paid in cash.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Done with Deductions.
• You will see the screen The Standard Deduction is right for you!  Click Continue.
• At Other Tax Situations, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Done with Other.
• Continue through Federal Review and Smart Check.

Go to Forms to view the Federal 1040 line 12b for the charitable deduction.

@semma

[TuckerdogAVL]

Is this gone in 2023? Is there any reason to put in charitable donations if you are taking the standard deduction? 

[DoninGA]

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@TuckerdogAVL wrote:

Is this gone in 2023? Is there any reason to put in charitable donations if you are taking the standard deduction? 

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That was only available on a 2021 tax return.  If you are using the Standard Deduction there is no need to enter charitable donations, unless your state allows this deduction then you would want to enter.

[TuckerdogAVL]

How would I know if the state allows any?