My itemized deductions are a higher value than the standard deduction. Why is TurboTax choosing the standard deduction for me?

[macuser_22]

For 2018 and 2019 many taxpayers that itemized in the past will find that they can no longer itemize because the standard deduction has doubled so all of their itemized deduction s no longer exceed the standard deduction.

Only if all itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction will it be of benefit.

Not all itemized deductions count the full amount. Medical expenses are reduced by 7.5% of AGI so if your AGI is $30,000, for example, then only medical expenses more than $2,250 would be an itemized deduction.

The 2018 tax law also caps the total of Sales tax OR State and local income tax, Property (real estate and personal property) taxes at $10,000.

Mortgage interest on loans after Dec 16, 2017 may be limited.

The Mortgage must be secured by the property to qualify.

Interest on home equity loans and lines of credit are deductible only if the borrowed funds are used to buy, build, or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home that secures the loan.

You can check the actual amount of itemized deductions by using the Search Topics for "itemized deductions, choosing" (under "My Account, Tools" in the online versions). Click on "Change my deduction". That will display the actual amount of itemized deductions vs. the standard deduction. (Be sure to uncheck "Change my deduction" after checking it so you do not lock in the wrong deduction.


2019 standard deductions

$12,200 Single
$18,350 Head of Household
$24,400 Married Jointly

Add an additional $1,300 for over age 65 or blind
This amount increases to $1,650 if the taxpayer is also unmarried.

[DoninGA]

Are you sure your itemized deductions are greater than the Standard Deduction for your filing status?

Medical expenses are limited on only the amount greater than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income.

State income taxes paid/Sales taxes paid plus property taxes paid are limited to $10,000 (Filing Separately - $5,000)

What amount is shown on your Schedule A Line 17 for Total Itemized Deductions?

Standard deductions for 2019

• Single - $12,200 add $1,650 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Separately - $12,200 add $1,300 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Jointly - $24,400 add $1,300 for each spouse age 65 or older
• Head of Household - $18,350 add $1,650 if age 65 or older

[Carl]

Most likely it's because your "ALLOWED" itemized deductions do not exceed your standard deduction.

[Critter]

If you are looking at the Deductions & Credits summary page please realize that the total consist of Deductions  AND  Credits ... only the deductions go on the Sch A ... that summary page can be confusing ... so look at the actual tax forms for clarity. 

To view your entire return using the online editions (including the state) before you file, you will need to pay for your online account.

To pay the TurboTax online account fees by credit card, without completing the 2019 return at this time, click on Tax Tools >>> Tools  and then Print Center.  Then click on Print, save or preview this year's return.  On the next page, to pay by credit card, click Continue.  On the next screen it will ask if you want Audit Defense, if you do not want this option just click on the Continue button.  The next screen will ask for all your credit card information so you can pay for the account.

[Anonymous]

another possibility is if you are married but filing separately and indicated that your spouse took the standard deduction then you must also use the standard deduction