My state (MD) return is using the standard deduction and I can't change it even though itemized would be much better and how it was last year?

[DaveF1006]

It depends. Maryland has a "matching" rule that if you take the standard deduction federally, then you must take it for Maryland. This is found in Maryland Tax-General Code, Section 10-218, which states "Only an individual who itemizes deductions on the individual's federal income tax return may elect to itemize deductions on the individual's income tax return."

[dmertz]

Also, Maryland tax code changed in 2025 such that Maryland itemized deductions are phased out above a certain federal AGI threshold based on your filing status.  See the Itemized Deduction Worksheet on page 12 of the Maryland Resident Tax Booklet:

https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/tax/instructions/2025/resident-booklet.pdf

If the standard deduction exceeds the phased-down itemized deductions, TurboTax appropriately chooses the standard deduction.