How to choose Itemized Deductions for Federal if Standard deduction is larger

[MissKaren]

Need to have itemized charitable contributions for state return but system won't let me

[rjs]

What state is it? Every state is different.

It's not clear exactly what you are trying to do. Do you want to use itemized deductions on your federal return, state return, or both? Does the state allow you to use itemized deductions on the state tax return if you use the standard deduction on the federal tax return?

[xmasbaby0]

Information flows from the federal return to the state return.  If you enter itemized deductions on a federal return, they can flow to the state.  Your state software will follow the state's laws pertaining to itemized deductions.

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

[rjs]

Are you trying to use itemized deductions on the state tax return, even though you are using the standard deduction on your federal tax return? If your state allows that, you still enter the charitable contributions or other itemized deductions in the federal section of TurboTax. If your federal standard deduction is higher, TurboTax will use the standard deduction on the federal return. But the itemized deductions that you entered in the federal section will still flow to the state tax return.