Can I use standard deduction for federal and itemize for State (Montana)? If so, how?

[IreneS · Accepted solution]

UPDATED FOR TAX YEAR 2019

Yes - You can take the standard deduction on the federal return and itemize on your MT return.

1. Enter all your deductions on your federal return (even though you will be taking the standard deduction there). 
2. As you go through your MT return, you will see a screen that asks Do you want to itemize deductions on your 2019 Montana return?  Click the Yes box.
3. Continue through the screens.
4. If you are married and both filing separate returns on the same form, you will be asked to allocate the deductions between you and your spouse.

[Edited | 4/13/2020 |  7:45 am PDT]

[adernh]

This is not working for Turbotax 2019. I have entered the itemized deductions on the federal form, I have clicked itemize deductions on Montana form and the page says to enter the itemized deductions on the federal form (already done). I cannot get the information to flow from the federal to the state.

[JotikaT2]

Make sure you continue through the screens after you see that page you mentioned above.

The amounts will pull through.  There will also be additional screens you will go through to adjust any registration fees for autos and any income adjustments, if applicable.

You will eventually see a screen that breaks out the Montana Tax Return Summary.  This page will break out the Montana itemized deductions.  Review this form.  All of your input from the Federal section will pull through in this summary.

See the example below.