Charitable Contribution Error during Tax Final Review

[cvknisley]

OMG!

I can't believe I spent 6 hours trying to get TurboTax to do the right calculations because of this problem.

I managed to get 3 different refund amounts, but when it goes to the final review....it gives me the LOWEST refund (standard deduction). And I can't correct it to itemized deductions despite what all the experts say. The refund I need now is from TurboTax.

And I still have to go back and jump through more hoops to make it give me the right answer. More hours. Maybe I should charge TurboTax for all the time I've spent on an unworkable program!

And now I read that this could have been happening for the last several years. More hours.

Next year, maybe another program instead of this one.

[cvknisley]

And it still DOES NOT WORK.

Still makes me do $600 deduction AND WILL NOT LET ME ITEMIZE.

What is wrong with you all?

[The Shant]

Definitely not worth the headache. There’s a form you can fill out online for a refund of the turbo tax cd. Not sure if it includes the download but probably does. I’m moving on and hiring an accountant. This is ridiculous and definitely not worth the stress! I didn’t know this could have been messed up for years! No longer trusting TurboTax….what a mess! 

[Mattski]

If you have the online version you probably cannot fix this. But if you have the download version you should be able to go to the forms area find that form that’s referenced in the error I think it’s 1040/1040 SR? And  there you see 300 type in 600 if you are filing a married joint return. That should do the trick. Worked for me 

[The Shant]

I did that but it changed it back during the review and tagged it. Not a fix. 

[patchworks]

I just wrestled with this problem trying to file my return...then I found this discussion...which took me a while to find, but that's a separate issue.  Anyway, I replaced the $300 with $600 during the review process and then DID NOT review again.  The $600 value stuck and I was able to file our return without further problems.  I agree that this is definitely a bug and, as a retired programmer, I would think it would be a fairly easy thing to fix (eg, IF married filing jointly, $600, ELSE, $300)!

[szalapa1]

Where is the form located - possible to point me in the right direction? 

Thanks!!

Patrick 

[Mattski]

In the very top left hand corner is a faded icon that says "forms"   Just open that and look for the form .  When you open it it will be highlighted in pale yellow "$300" change it to $600 if you are filing married jointly and don't do review return again or it will just switch it back.

[Drew P]

This workaround is not an acceptable solution.  As others have already pointed out in this comment stream, some states allow more significant deductions for charitable contributions when using the standard deduction.  I'm in MN, and can deduct 50% of charitable contributions in excess of $500.  If I apply your workaround to avoid the error on my Federal return, I would have to pay more in MN state income tax.  

[cvknisley]

Changing the deduction from $300 to $600 doesn't really fix the problem. Not even a viable work-around since there are even more problems than just this one.

If the return is 100% guaranteed, then it's a worthless guarantee since it does wrong calculations and incorrect numbers. What good is a final review if it is WRONG?

Another fault I have now found is the program (and I use that term loosely), is NOT taking my deductions (more than the standard deduction). It ignores my deductions and only wants to give me the $300. I am married, filing jointly, and more deductions than $300 or $600.

Last night I also found it ignored the mortgage points from my refi. I now can't imagine how many other screw-ups are in this program.

I quickly went through 2020 TurboTax and found errors there too. Can't wait to go back to 2019 and 2018.

We now are going to find an accountant to recheck the last 3 years and see what else is wrong. Yet more $$ and time.

[ldawn513]

I totally agree with you. And Turbo tax needs to fix this program error in addition to the issue with entering W2s.

[drichert]

Minnesota uses this section for state deductions even though you cannot receive the federal deductions. If I delete per the instructions the Minnesota return will not pick it up. 

[kennykman]

Same thing happens to me. once I run error check and change 300 to 600, return is correct. Just need to not run check again when filing to stay correct. (Until they fix the bug),

[how do I delete tax file]

I have $2595 in Charitable Donations - all listed (as I did every other year).  That amount is listed but Turbo Tax is only giving me the $300 - standard deduction.  How do I correct this.  I have read the work arounds listed here to change it but without the names and addresses of the organizations for back up - won't that cause a problem - AUDIT??

[JamesG1]

Do you expect to report enough additional expenses to use Schedule A Itemized Deductions?

If so, enter the additional expenses.  The tax software should use Schedule A Itemized Deductions and report the Schedule A total on line 12a of the Federal 1040 tax return.

Or do you expect to claim the standard deduction on line 12a of your Federal 1040 tax return? 

If there will be no additional expenses to report, make sure that you retain proof of the charitable contribution made by cash should your tax return at some point be audited.

Or is your question how to enter or remove the Charitable Cash Contribution under CARES Act?

Federal 1040 line 12b Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act can be entered or removed at either: 

• Federal Taxes / Deductions & Credits / Your tax breaks / Donations to Charity in 2021 or
• at the screen Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act immediately following Based on what you just told us, the Standard Deduction is best for you. 

But the second entry appears to produce better results.  

• Remove the entries at Donations to Charity in 2021 by deleting the entries.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Wrap up tax breaks.
• You will see the screen Based on what you just told us, the Standard Deduction is best for you.
• At the screen titled Charitable Cash Contributions under the CARES Act, make sure that the box contains the amount of the deduction for which you qualify.
• At Other Tax Situations, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Let’s keep going.
• Continue through Review. 

Go to Tax Tools / Tools / View Tax Summary / Preview my 1040 to view line 12b for the charitable deduction.

@how do I delete tax