Using the standard deduction, where do I enter the Charity Names for my under $600 cash donation?

[JillS56]

Yes, TurboTax has a place to enter charity donations as you would expect. It's under Federal Taxes -> Deductions & Credits -> Charitable Donations. So far so good. It's also straightforward to enter the donations.

You can also get to charitable donations by following these steps:

1. Open your return in TurboTax.
2. In the search box, search for donations and then select the Jump to link in the search results.
3. Answer No when asked if you have an ItsDeductible account (even if the answer is yes).
4. Answer Yes to Do you want to enter your donations for 2021?
5. Follow the instructions to enter your donations.

[3outlawdogs]

It makes you skip charities when you use the standard deduction then asks for the dollar amount only on a later page with no where to enter the charity names.   I went back and entered the charity names and dollar amounts in the area you specified but I'm not sure that is right using the standard deduction.   Also since I entered the $$ elsewhere I want to make sure it isn't duplicated.

[JillS56]

Yes, this is the correct way to enter your charitable deductions.  Entering your charitable deductions under Deductions and Credits and using standard deductions and then reporting the amount you are claiming of $600 will not create a double deduction.   If you are using the standard deduction, TurboTax will not take more than the allowed  $300 of charitable deductions for single or $600 charitable deductions of married filing joining. 

If you would like to double-check to make sure this is correct follow these steps:

1. Click on Tax Tools in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
2. Click on Tools.
3. Click on View My Tax Summary.
4. Click on Preview my 1040 listed in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
5. Scroll down to Line 12a shows the standard deduction and 12b shows the total charitable deductions you made and the amount you can deduct (either the $300 or $600) will appear in 12b and then 12c gives the net amount of your standard deduction.

[3outlawdogs]

@JillS56 

I found the preview thanks!

12a shows the standard deduction of $25,100 but there is an extra box that is not numbered which shows our cash donation amount of $175.00   Will this cause a doubling of the amount since it is in 12b ?

12b shows $175.00

12c  $25,275

Thank you!

[AnnetteB6]

No, the situation you described sounds perfectly correct.  

You are getting the added benefit of claiming $175 for your charitable contributions.  This is added to your standard deduction of $25,100 for a total deduction of $25,275 shown on line 12 c.

@3outlawdogs

[edited 2/16/2022 | 6:59 am PST]

@3outlawdogs

[3outlawdogs]

@AnnetteB6 $26,100?   I thought the standard was $25,100 now I'm really confused.    

[AnnetteB6]

That was my mistake.  I corrected the information shown above.  The standard deduction for 2021 is $25,100 for Married Filing Joint.

Thanks for pointing it out!

@3outlawdogs

[rsailler]

What later page?

[LenaH]

Please follow the steps below to enter your charitable contribution in the correct place in TurboTax :

1. Open your return. 
2. Click Federal from the left side of your screen.
3. Click Deductions &Credits on the top of the screen.
4. Scroll down and click the Wrap up tax breaks button.
5. Continue until you reach the Get a tax break for donating cash to charity screen.
6. Enter your charitable cash contributions.

@rsailler