Did I itemize last year?

[mtiede]

I use TurboTax Desktop Premier.  I just noticed something about New York, that if you itemized on the federal return, you have to itemize on the State.  (at least I think that is the case)  Now in the 2021 form, it is asking me if I itemized the New York taxes.  When I look at the 2020 IT-201 form, I see that TurboTax checked the "Itemized" checkbox.  So I assume it determined that it was better than the standard deduction.  

But when I look at the 1040, I don't think it is itemized.  But it is difficult to tell what was done on the federal form.  The form says that for married filing separately, the amount is $24,800.  But the amount that is in line 12 is $27,400.  When I double click on that until it takes me to the Schedule A form, that shows $13,797.  So it looks like the standard deduction should be taken.

But where did TurboTax get the $27,400 instead of $24,800?

AND, if it IS the standard deduction, why was I allowed to take the itemized deduction in the New York taxes?  

AND the 2021 form, when I tell it I took the itemized as Form IT-201 one says, then says "Our records say you got the standard deduction in 2020".  So I'm confused as to what I should be telling it.

Can someone clear me up on this?  (I hope I've given sufficient information to help me out)

(one of the confusing facts is that my wife, as a retired teacher, gets a pension that is not taxable in New York, but is taxable in the feds.  So that might explain why one would try to be Standard and the other Itemized, but I still think maybe it should not have allowed that on the New York).

[xmasbaby0]

If you are seeing a standard deduction of $27,400 on your 2020 Form 1040 it must be that both of you were 65 or older for 2020.   An extra amount is added to your standard deduction if you were 65 or older at the end of the tax year.

2020 Standard Deduction Amounts

Single $12,400   (+ $1650 65 or older)

Married Filing Separate  $12,400   (+ $1300 if 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,800   (+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,650  (+ $1650 for 65 or older)

The following states allow you to itemize deductions on just the state return: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Wisconsin, 

[mtiede]

Ah, it would have been nice if I could have FOUND in the supporting forms that that extra was added in.  And maybe it is there somewhere that I couldn't find.  But I would have thought double clicking on it would have taken me to a place that would display how it came up with the amount.

I also have a notion that what the question is really asking is if I filled in the Schedule A to DO the itemization rather than whether I TOOK the itemized deductions instead of the standard deduction.  I'm guessing they want to know about the itemized deductions so that they can use that information for the New York form (which used the itemized deductions).

Thanks a lot for the clarification xmasbab0!

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

And....just so you know.....page 3 of your 2021 Form 1040SR shows the standard deduction amounts for you

2021 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $12,550  (65 or older + $1700)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $12,550  (65 or older + $1350)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $25,100  (65 or older + $1350 per spouse)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $18,800  (65 or older +$1700)

Legally Blind + $1350

And for 2022 for your next return that you will prepare in 2023

2022 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $12,950  (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $12,950  (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $25,900  (65 or older + $1400 per spouse)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $19,400  (65 or older +$1750)

Legally Blind + $1750

[mtiede]

Great!  Sounds like they improved that part 😊

Sure had me confused for a while.  I thought maybe I had TYPED in that amount from something and had maybe made a mistake and would have to file an amended statement for 2020.  And I started freaking out.  

Okay, back to this year's effort...

Thanks again

[Tee221]

Hey everyone can someone assist me with Form IT-201, total of lines 46 and 58. It’s so confusing 

Please and thank u

[BillM223]

mtiede,

"But where did TurboTax get the $27,400 instead of $24,800?"

$24,800 was the Standard Deduction in tax year 2020. $27,400 is the Standard Deduction for tax year 2020, if both taxpayers are over age 65.

So if you got $27,400 as the deduction in 2020, then you did get the Standard Deduction.

@mtiede

Tee221,

Line 46 is the income tax for the state of New York. Line 58 is the income tax for the City of New York (and Yonkers). Yes, the City has an income tax also (there are a few cities around the country that do this).

The state of New York collects the NYC income tax on the state return, and presumably passes it along to the City.

The biggest issue I see with the NYC tax is that too many taxpayers don't have their employer withhold for the City in addition to the State, which leaves to large tax due at tax time. 

@Tee221