Just finished entering my data for 2020 and the deduction on 1040 line 12 is $2600 larger than the standard deduction of $24800 with no explanation of why. Schd A has no values of $2600 on it and the total is smaller than the standard deduction anyway. Clicking on the line 12 number takes me to Schd A but, as I say, no explanation of how the number comes to be. Anyone know how I can find out how the value for line 12 is determined?
Since you're married filing jointly, it sounds like you and your spouse qualify for the additional standard deduction amount for age and/or blindness. That accounts for the additional $2,600.
Your standard deduction for 2020 starts at $24,800. Then,
Add $1,300 if you were born before January 2, 1956.
Add $1,300 if your jointly-filing spouse was born before January 2, 1956.
Add $1,300 if you were blind as of December 31, 2020.
Add $1,300 if your jointly-filing spouse was blind as of December 31, 2020.
Are you and your spouse 65 or older?
2020 Standard Deduction Amounts
Single $12,400 (+ $1650 65 or older)
Married Filing Separate $12,400 (+ $1300 if 65 or older)
Married Filing Jointly $24,800
(+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older)
Head of Household $18,650 (+ $1650 for 65 or older)
Since you're married filing jointly, it sounds like you and your spouse qualify for the additional standard deduction amount for age and/or blindness. That accounts for the additional $2,600.
Your standard deduction for 2020 starts at $24,800. Then,
Add $1,300 if you were born before January 2, 1956.
Add $1,300 if your jointly-filing spouse was born before January 2, 1956.
Add $1,300 if you were blind as of December 31, 2020.
Add $1,300 if your jointly-filing spouse was blind as of December 31, 2020.