How do I fix my charitable contributions? It says I have an unacceptable value.

[pansy]

Well it took a bit, but it worked. Thank you so much! I do my families tax returns and my sister is the only one that I had this problem, she's the only one that had more than $600 in charitable contributions. I deleted all of them and made one of them $300 and I was able to e-file. Since she is a Standard deduction, no biggie, WHOOHOO!

[Scarlet44]

I’m filing married. It worked once I changed it to $600.00.

[pashvin]

The software is really buggy in this area.

Basically, 1040/1040SR Wks line #12.b should have the lowest of the following three.

$300  or $600 (for married) or the actual donation amount.

Now software picks up always $300 no matter what we enter and then rule check function errors out because in some cases your actual amount is lower than 600 or 300 and default $300 is wrong so it asks you to fix which is OK.

Then if you type the correct amount, then it goes and corrects it in 1040SR line #12.b and if you move forward with filing, then everything is fine. Your return is correct.

But many of us including me pick up the option to re-check for errors and when you do that software goes back and revert that amount to 300 again and the error check function returns the same error so a lot of users are reporting the trick is not working.

The correct way to move forward is this. When you see the error, then correct that amount, then double-check the form 1040SR line #12.b by clicking on the "Forms" menu on top and see it has the correct amount, and then continue with filing. Do not run an error check again. If you have multiple other errors in your return, then fix this one as last.

I understand some rules are not finalized for the charitable amount but the software should not revert back what user entered which is driving everyone crazy.

[fernin8r]

This is beyond frustrating.  I have completed my tax return and I'm ready to file, but I can't do anything because of this charitable contribution thing.  I don't know why $300 is a thing. Please fix or help...

[fernin8r]

FIXED IT!!!!

I'm married filing jointly.  The cash allowed for charitable contributions was increased to $600 per the IRS.  you need to change the $300 to $600 and it fixes it!

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/expanded-tax-benefits-help-individuals-and-businesses-give-to-charity-d...

[JohnB5677]

These are the steps to make the adjustment

First, you must clear all donations from the Deductions & Credits input screen

Online version

1. Go to Deductions & Credits

2. Scroll to the very bottom

3. Select Wrap up Tax Breaks (Online)

4. Continue through the interview to 

5. Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act

6. Enter your donation.

In the Desktop version:

1. Go to Deductions and Credits

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page

3. Select Done with Deductions

4. Let's check your Deductions .. Continue

5. Here are your 2021 Deductions ... Continue

6. The standard deduction is right for you ... Continue

7. GET A TAX BREAK FOR DONATING CASH TO CHARITY

8. Enter your amount

[Michelle105]

Hi,

I also have tried all of the workarounds, including deleting the amount on the error screen and going back to donations to re add. What else can we try?

Thanks,

Michelle 

[MayaD]

Some TurboTax Online customers are experiencing an issue when trying to enter their charitable cash donations when claiming the Standard Deduction. 

If you’re receiving the error check message, enter the amount of donations you made up to the maximum limit per your filing status.

For Married Filing Jointly, the maximum amount to claim is $600. For Single filers, the maximum amount to claim is $300.

[GreenFireMan007]

If I donated significantly more than $300 and I then edit to $300, wouldn't that potentially mess up my state taxes? I am in WI and I am doing the standard deduction on the federal taxes. This is the only thing that is holding up my taxes at the moment so the sooner this is resolved the better. Thanks!

[bjc71]

Isn't $600 for charitable contributions allowed for married filing jointly and using the standard deduction?

I just went into the form itself and changed the values.  It seems to be very glitchy.  Easy fix so fix it.

[Ldca2va]

The contribution I itemized is there, but it still is showing an error and wants to enter the standard deduction.

[HeatherPLO]

We need additional information to assist you further:

• What software version are you using?  
• If Desktop/Download, are you using Windows or Mac?  
• Which operating system are you using?

Please post your additional details in the thread here, and someone will reach out with the next steps.  

[booboo2]

This works for Federal, but because Turbotax selected Itemized Deductions for CA 540, gifts to charity is now blank on lin 11 (Schedule CA).  I had to delete the +$1500 in cash contributions in order for the $600 (married) to take on the Federal.  How do I go about entering the full charity contributions back into the CA 540 for itemization?  

[eieio1]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with CA.  You can go back and read some of the general answers to this problem which may help you.  And at this late date, you might want to consider doing your taxes without listing the contributions and then amending them in a month or so.  I would think that would solve the problem and may be easier to handle.  Good luck.

[eieio1]

Btw, if you're itemizing, why wouldn't you want to put all your contributions on schedule A?  This year the $600 in contributions would be below the line, unlike last year, but I assume you probably are taking the standard for federal.  If you have the desktop version, you can go right to the form and change your state contribution to $1500 (which is always a good reason to get the desktop version).  If not, I would just send in the CA return the way it is and amend it.  That should be very easy and if your deduction is larger, you won't have to pay anything more.