Deductions

[acanuto]

1. I am filing Single and have itemed deductions $16,134. Turbo Tax keeps applying the Standard Deduction of $12,500 instead of applying the itemized deductions. I have used TurboTax over 8 years and always use the itemization instead of Standard because it is bigger. Why is the software doing this? 

[DoninGA]

Are you using the TurboTax desktop editions?  If so, click on Forms.  When in Forms mode open the Schedule A.  Is the amount on Schedule A Line 17 more than your Standard Deduction of $12,550?

[acanuto]

It is less but that's because the software is not carrying forward the Mortgage Interest to line 8a. I do get a quick display message screen after entering my 1098 stating I am better off using the Standard deduction? 

[DoninGA]

Look at your Home Mortgage Interest Worksheets for all lenders.  The amount entered on Line 2b should be entered on Schedule A Line 8a.  For the amount on Schedule A Line 8b go to the Tax and Interest Deduction Worksheet.  Scroll down the Worksheet to Interest Deductions.  Review the interest reported in the Smart Worksheet in B and also on Line 6a, b and c of the Tax and Interest Deduction Worksheet.

Are the amounts you entered that were not reported on a Form 1098 being shown?

[acanuto]

Now that I manually entered the Mortgage Interest in Schedule A Form it is allowing the full itemized deductions instead of the Standard Deduction.