Our itemized deductions are $43,784 which we'd like to use. Turbotax keeps going back to standard deduction even when I click on Change my deduction! (filing jointly)

[mbreaux]

We are married filing jointly. The link for using the Itemized Deduction isn't working.

[DoninGA]

Go back to the Deductions & Credits section of the program.  Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Continue.

Click on Federal

Click on Deductions & Credits

After several screens you will land on the the screen showing the amount of your Standard Deduction and the amount of your Itemized Deductions.  Which is larger?

[xmasbaby0]

Are you making the common mistake of just adding up all the amounts for your itemized deductions without considering the caps and thresholds that must be met?

STANDARD DEDUCTION

Many taxpayers are surprised because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns.  The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact since the new tax laws went into effect beginning with 2018 returns.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund.  The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting  tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. (Only the amount that is MORE than 7.5% of your AGI counts)   The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you.  Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. The standard deduction makes some of your income “tax free.”  It is not a refund.  You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12 of your 2023 Form 1040.

2023 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $13,850  (65 or older/legally blind + $1850)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $13,850  (65 or older/legally blind + $1500)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $27,700  (65+/legally blind) )  + $1500 per spouse

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $20,800 (65 or older/blind)  + $1850)

[mbreaux]

Thank you for your response. The $43,784 itemized deduction amount is what Turbotax is showing me.  I use itsdeductible throughout the year and import my information.  (We have high medical bills, pay property tax, and give a lot to our church.)  The $43,784 is greater than the standard deduction of $27,700.  On the screen where I'm asked which deduction I want to go with, I choose Itemized.  I want to itemize because in Wisconsin we can claim the Homestead Credit and an itemized deduction credit.  Last year is similar to this year for us.  We chose Itemized Deductions easily last year with the Turbotax Online.  No glitches.  I thought taxpayers could actually choose if they want to itemize or not.  Turbotax isn't giving us a choice.  Are others having issues with this screen and link?

[xmasbaby0]

Just be mindful of the very tough threshold for medical expenses and the $10,000 cap for property tax.  If you want to force itemized deductions and see what happens:

HOW TO FORCE ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900142-how-do-i-change-from-the-standard-deduction-to-itemized-or...

[mbreaux]

Thank you for your response. The $43,784 itemized deduction amount is what Turbotax is showing me. I use itsdeductible throughout the year and import my information. (We have high medical bills, pay property tax, and give a lot to our church.) The $43,784 is greater than the standard deduction of $27,700. On the screen where I'm asked which deduction I want to go with, I choose Itemized. I want to itemize because in Wisconsin we can claim the Homestead Credit and an itemized deduction credit. Last year is similar to this year for us. We chose Itemized Deductions easily last year with the Turbotax Online. No glitches. I thought taxpayers could actually choose if they want to itemize or not. Turbotax isn't giving us a choice. Are others having issues with this screen and link?

[user17708317711]

I'm having the same issue!

[MonikaK1]

You have posted in a thread that has been inactive to two years. There are some good tips earlier in this thread as to what to review in TurboTax when you find you are given the Standard Deduction instead of Itemized. 

One common reason is that medical expenses are only deductible to the extent they exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income, and only that excess is available to combine with your interest, deductible taxes, contributions, etc. and that total must exceed the standard deduction

For 2025, the Standard Deduction numbers are:

• Single and Married Filing Separately taxpayers: $15,750
• Married Filing Jointly taxpayers: $31,500
• those file as Head of Household: $23,625

In addition, the standard deduction is higher for taxpayers who are blind and/or age 65 or older. See this help article for more information. Your total itemized deductions would need to exceed the standard deduction in order for you to benefit from itemizing.

See also this article that explains how to switch between standard and itemized.

@user17708317711

[UKTOLA]

I'm having the same issue.

[AnnetteB6]

Try using the steps in the TurboTax help article below to choose to use itemized deductions instead of the standard deduction.  Then, if your overall refund or balance due does not change, that could mean that the standard deduction was chosen so that you could file a less complicated return that did not include Schedule A.  

How do I change from the standard deduction to itemized (or vice-versa)?

@UKTOLA 
 

[SHMbak]

Same thing happened to me (previously saved form on 2/13/26), but I didn't notice I was getting the standard deduction (itemized was only a few thousand more.)  But because people online were reporting problems with downloading Schwab 1099s, I held off filing because I was waiting to see if my Schwab 1099s changed after 2/28/26 (reportedly the last date that 1099s would become available.)  By chance review, I discovered today (3/2/26)  that even though I thought I'd gotten the itemized deduction, which was slightly larger than standard deduction, my 1040 form showed I was getting standard.  My guess is there was an update sometime after I entered all my deductions (late January or early February) that included the type of deduction choice screen (option to "change deduction" or something like that.)  My 1040 form still says "Standard Deduction" in the box on the left, but shows the itemized deduction value on the line.  So I'm assuming this was a software error that they partially fixed.  I don't care if the label is "Standard Deduction" as long as the larger itemized deduction is the number used.  TurboTax is getting kind of sloppy.  I am now wondering if I should hold off filing until closer to April, as there may be additional fixes.  Returning to my return today (3/2/26) gave me another update.  I'm sure some people have already filed without the latest updates.

[LeticiaF1]

You can switch between deductions in the program.

TurboTax Online

1. Go to the screen: Based on what you told us, [either Standard Deduction or Itemizing deductions] is right for you, and select Change my deduction.
2. On the Which deduction do you want to take this year? popup, you'll see the dollar value of each deduction type.
3. Select the type of deduction you want and select Continue twice.

TurboTax Desktop

1. Open or continue your return.
2. Select Federal Taxes.
3. If using Home & Business, select Personal.
4. Select Deductions & Credits.
5. When asked how you want to enter your deductions and credits, select I'll choose what I work on.
6. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the Your 2025 Deductions & Credits screen and select Done with Deductions.
7. Continue until you see The Standard [or Itemized] Deduction is Right for You!
8. Select Change my deduction and choose which one you'd like.
9. Select Continue to apply any changes.

How do I change from the standard deduction to itemized (or vice-versa)?

[user17731623487]

This isn't working for me (sounds like it isn't working for others too).

When I select itemized it just keeps switching back to standard. Sounds like a bug was introduced with a recent update.

Note: my refund is the same either way EXCEPT the standard deduction uses some of my solar credit which is not what I want.

[BillADA]

I am having the same problem, but if I click on VIEW and then click on FORMS, and then click on Form 1040, it shows our itemized deductions were used rather than the standard deduction.  The program has a major bug and I am pissed off.  Intuit needs to guide us about what to do.  I don't dare send in a tax return that is different from what the program is saying is on that return.

[AnnetteB6]

There does seem to be several users reporting that changing their deduction from Standard to Itemized or vice versa is not working.  However, it may just be a confusing screen within TurboTax.  

When you go through the process to change your deduction, the message on the screen will tell you in bold letters at the top of the screen which deduction is right for you.  Even after you click the button to Change my deduction and you answer the questions associated with that change, the bold message at the top of the screen does not change.  But, the message right above the Change my deduction button tells you which deduction you are using.  

@BillADA 

@user17731623487