Turbo Tax Program is recommending standard deduction when my itemized deductions on my fed return are much higher. Is it due to living in California?

[classicrb]

The standard deduction is $14,500. My itemized deductions are $25K. Turbo Tax flashed use standard deduction on my screen after every entry. I live in California. What am I missing?

[SusanY1 · Accepted solution]

Most likely your total deductible items entered is what is represented in the $25,000 number but they may not all be allowed to "count" toward the deduction. 

For example, state and local taxes (this include state income tax, property tax, and any deductible sales tax) in excess of the $10,000 cap isn't counted in the final number. 

Medical expenses entered are also adjusted - only the amounts that exceed 7.5% of your AGI counts in the final deduction.  

[classicrb]

Thanks.  I knew the tax deduction throttle for high tax states, and it first popped up when I entered my property tax.  I forgot about the limitation of the AGI on my medical expenses, which are a whopping $19K this year.   I'll keep adding deductions, but those are limited because I own my home and pay no interest.  Thanks for your analysis.