Medical insurance premium total dollars amount does not populate into my total medical expenses when viewing TT explanation of standard vs itemized deduction selection?

[camfieldp]

The expense populates into total medical expenses, but does not seem to be taken into account when TT decides for me whether standard deduction or intemized deductions are to my benefit. Long-term care costs are carried forward, however. I am retired, have Medicare and marketplace out-of-pocket supplement, and husband has only marketplace insurance.

[xmasbaby0]

MEDICAL EXPENSES

The medical expense deduction has to meet a rather large threshold before it can affect your return. The amount of medical (including dental, vision, etc.)  expenses that will count toward itemization is the amount that is OVER 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You should only enter the amount that you paid in 2020—do not include any amounts that were covered by insurance or that are still outstanding.  Of course, your medical expenses plus your other itemized deductions still have to exceed your standard deduction before you will see a difference in your tax due or refund.

To enter your medical expenses go to Federal>Deductions and Credits>Medical>Medical Expense

[camfieldp]

Thank you. Between medical expenses (which include OOP insurance premiums and LTC premiums) and charitable donations, plus a few misc. deductions, itemized was a better choice for us than standard deduction. TurboTax confirmed UNTIL final review, upon which the medical expenses suddenly did not include insurance costs (but did include LTC costs?).  All expenses were incurred in 2020. Baffling. But tax code often is surprising, if indeed it is code and not a TT glitch.

No worries; I am going to file an extension and look elsewhere for online tax prep software. Or return to my accountant (who assured me our taxes are easy and I could do them. . .)

[AmyC]

See About Schedule A (Form 1040 or 1040-SR), Itemized Deductions and Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses  for additional help.