Preparing my 2021 federal return and my charitable deduction for $600 in addition to standard deduction does not appear to be reflected in my return. Is this a error?

[mbatson]

This was a programming error in 2020.  Is this still a problem?  Is there a reason this is not reflected?

[DanaB27]

No, I cannot recreate an error. Please try these steps to enter the charitable cash contribution for 10b :

1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
2. Click "Federal" from the left side of your screen
3. Click “Deductions &Credits” on the top
4. Scroll all the way down and click the "Wrap up tax breaks" button
5. Continue until the "Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act" screen
6. Enter your charitable cash contributions here (do not enter them under Itemized Deductions).

To verify your entry:

1. Click on "Tax Tools" in the left menu
2. Click "Tools"
3. Click "View Tax Summary" in the Tool Center window
4. Click on "Preview my 1040" on the left

[mbatson]

Thank you for your help.  I could not get the item 5 below to come up - "Charitable Contributions under the Cares Act" on my desktop version.     I had entered the charitable contributions under itemized deductions.  I looked at the Federal 1040 preview and the charitable deduction is included.  My tax return will be correct.   

Thanks for your help.

[Pitch]

I had something of the same problem. When I did a review of my taxes, it changed the amount from 600 to 300, even though I am filing a joint return. Has anyone else had that same problem?

Thank you.

[JohnB5677]

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

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

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.

[ekim]

If you clear your charitable deductions from the Federal return,  wouldn't that cause your state return to be wrong. 

[ekim]

Yes the error still exists, and I did catch it last year.  Should have been 600 vs 300 on the charitable deduction.  Every time I change it back , if you do something else, it will go back to the 300.  Very annoying.  I have used Turbo tax for years,  and now have ran into a couple glitches this year.  That would cost me money.  

I have lost faith in this program being accurate if simple tax code cannot be read properly

[DawnC]

Last year, the charitable cash donation deduction was $300 no matter what your filing status was.   This year you should get $600 if you are Married filing Jointly.  There are a couple of steps you can take to get the $600 to stick.    Choose your version below:

• To clear this up in TurboTax and get your deduction recorded on your tax return in the TurboTax Online, do the following.  

1. Click on Federal on the top left side menu.   
2. Then choose Deductions and Credits at the top.   
3. Scroll all the way down and click on Wrap Up Tax Breaks.

• To clear this up in TurboTax and get your deduction recorded on your tax return in the CD/Desktop Program, do the following.  

1. Click on Personal Income at the top of the desktop software.   
2. Then choose Deductions and Credits.   
3. Pick I'll Choose What I Work On.
4. Scroll all the way down and click on Done with Deductions.

You will get some follow-up finalizing and general review questions before you see the message - The Standard Deduction is Right For You!   Continue clicking through those all of those screens and your charitable contribution ($600) should then show up on line 12b of your Form 1040.    And it should stay that way even after you do an update.  @ekim