Charitable Contributions for Non-Itemizers - Tax Year 2021

[briloop]

So, we have to "trick" the software into getting the desired (and legally correct) result? Or is TurboTax going to fix this? Or, are we wrong?

[MichelleLO]

Thank you for reporting this issue. We have escalated this experience and anticipate that this will be remedied with a future update.

[flemingtlf]

Well... today is the 22nd and it still isn't fixed! It would be most helpful if I could complete my tax filing today on my day off!

[DoninGA]

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@flemingtlf wrote:

Well... today is the 22nd and it still isn't fixed! It would be most helpful if I could complete my tax filing today on my day off!

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Using the TurboTax desktop editions -

To remove the error I went into Forms mode and deleted the Charitable Organization Worksheet.  Then on the Form 1040 Worksheet for Line 12b removed the $300 amount so Line 12b is now blank (empty).

Going back to Step-by-Step I completed the Deductions & Credits section without entering anything for a charitable donation.  Continuing through the screens until landing on the screen labeled Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act, I entered $600.  Continued through Final Review without error.

[flemingtlf]

Are you using the "Online" TurboTax? I'm using the dvd desktop version and I haven't found anything in there that mentions the Cares Act

[DoninGA]

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@flemingtlf wrote:

Are you using the "Online" TurboTax? I'm using the dvd desktop version and I haven't found anything in there that mentions the Cares Act

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I am running TurboTax Premier for Windows Version 021.000.0407 and only see this error if I entered a Charitable Donation in the Deductions & Credits section and only eligible for the Standard Deduction.

If you entered a Charitable Donation in the Deductions & Credit section of the program, you will not see the screen labeled Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act even if you are only eligible for the Standard Deductions.

You must go to Forms mode and follow what I previously posted about deleting the Charitable Organization Worksheet and editing the Form 1040 Worksheet

[briloop]

Yesterday (January 21, 2022), I deleted all of my charitable contributions, then re-inputted only one charity.  That charity was over $600.

Today (January 22, 2022) the correct deduction ($600) is now showing on my preview tax return. I am using TurboTax Home and Business for 2021, download version, working on Mac desktop. Software up to date as of January 22, 2022.

Either the actions I took yesterday or a TurboTax update solved the problem.

[bobmainejr]

The SW maybe updated but it still isn't working correctly, I had the same problem so I re-entered my tax info as a brand new tax file, when I got to the final check after entering my Fed and state info it reduced my fed return as if I was filing as a single individual not as a married filing jointly. Also when I entered the charity TurboTax classified it as a 50% charity and it appears to be only giving me credit for half of my contribution. I can fix it by going into the forms view and modifying the entries in line 12 a and b after the final check. I worked with TurboTax phone help 3 days last week and he had a suggestion of in Forms view going to the charity worksheet and modifying the answers to the 4 questions at the bottom of the form for the charities.  

[badknee_1]

It keeps on giving me an error for charitable deductions. TurboTax says the standard deduction is the best way to go. It kept on giving me the error.

I edited it and put in $600... didn't work.

I edited it and put in $300... didn't work.

I edited it and put in $0... didn't work.

My taxes are READY TO GO... BUT, I can't get rid of this TurboTax 2021 error.

[flemingtlf]

Yes, it’s pretty frustrating! I want to thank everyone for all their suggestions but none of them worked for me. What I ended up doing was

1) Finished up everything completely in Turbo Tax

2) Put in my TOTAL amount of charitable contributions in the step by step. (If I don’t put that all in there, it decreases my CA state refund so DO NOT just put $600 in there if you gave more!)

3) Ran Smart Check several times. That seems to  always change the charitable contribution amount back to $300.

4) Go into forms view and on the 1040 form, change the $300 to $600 and leave your total giving above that alone as is.

5) VERY IMPORTANT! DO NOT RUN A SMART CHECK AGAIN! That will change the amount back to $300 again!

 I then saved my return, saved a PDF copy in my yearly tax back up file, told Turbo Tax to file the return. It was accepted by the IRS today.

Hope this helps someone, it’s just really concerning that Turbo Tax wouldn’t get this corrected before the IRS started accepting returns! Just wondering how many thousands of taxpayers are filing with TT and don’t even catch this mistake? It made a pretty big difference in my tax bill.

Also was wondering what “other” mistakes or glitches  TT might have in their program? Worried me enough to go to HR Block free file and fill it all out to check! Luckily it came up with the same for Fed and a few $$ different for state.

Good luck everyone!

[badknee_1]

I went ahead and put in $600 in the spot... and then submitted it. Got a note that the IRS accepted it. So, maybe... it worked.

Thanks..

[KrisD15]

Also be sure to update TurboTax Desktop. 

"If you're on a PC, open TurboTax and select Check for Updates from the Online menu near the top. On a Mac, simply quit and reopen TurboTax. If there are any updates, you'll be prompted to download them."

Updating TurboTax Desktop

[badknee_1]

Every time I blink my eyes... I update TurboTax. 🙂

There is just a bug in the program that needs to be fixed. Some aren't quite as nerdy as some of us. 🙂

[doug_w]

Just updated Turbotax Desktop with the Jan 27th update and the issue with standard deduction charitable deduction MFJ appears to be fixed.  Line 12b stays at $600 when you run Smart Check.

[badknee_1]

At least it's fixed now. But, I have already submitted mine, been accepted, and now I'm waiting on my check.👍🏻