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Level 2
posted Mar 29, 2024 1:58:10 PM

Schedule A Box on Line 18 is checked even though I’m itemizing but deductions are more than standard deduction.

This is perhaps a minor question, but I’ll ask just the same. 

Schedule A Box on Line 18 is checked even though I’m itemizing and my itemized deductions are more than standard deduction. Should this box be checked? It appears I cannot undo in the Forms area. I’ve double checked and have selected to itemized deductions in the Step by Step area.

Thanks!

 

0 5 1930
1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Mar 29, 2024 5:14:36 PM

That is interesting, I tested and it is true, even if the Itemized Deduction amount is greater, that box is checked. 

 

My guess is that the wording should be "If you elect to itemize deductions even IF they are less than your standard deduction, check this box"

 

Perhaps it is programed that way by TurboTax, but regardless, it will have no impact. 

 

5 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 29, 2024 5:14:36 PM

That is interesting, I tested and it is true, even if the Itemized Deduction amount is greater, that box is checked. 

 

My guess is that the wording should be "If you elect to itemize deductions even IF they are less than your standard deduction, check this box"

 

Perhaps it is programed that way by TurboTax, but regardless, it will have no impact. 

 

Level 1
Mar 30, 2024 1:22:45 PM

KrisD15 -

 

I am so glad you were able to reproduce this.  Tax Expert DawnC in a parallel thread ("Schedule A Box 18 Checkbox") could not.  While I agree that the box being incorrectly checked will have no impact on the final tax bill, it is nevertheless incorrect. AND note that it was properly left blank by TurboTax in 2022, 2021, etc. 

I would rather not submit an incorrect tax return to the IRS.  Do you have the power to report this bug up the chain?  Apparently all we users can do when we find a problem like this is start a discussion in this community.

Thanks,

- Barry66

Level 2
Mar 31, 2024 11:14:23 AM

Update:

I submitted my question using the TurboTax Help Box. After submitting my question it gave me an opportunity to call TurboTax directly. I was guided through the following to successfully correct my problem. I was told that this was apparently not a ‘bug’ but this would be passed along for review.

 

After working through Deductions and marking it Complete TT does a quick check of your Deductions and Credits. Once done, click on Continue. Click on Continue on the next couple of screens to get to ‘We’ve Chosen Itemized Deductions … ‘ 

 

Here there’s a box for Change My Deduction. In my case this box should NOT have been checked. (I must have thought that while reviewing this and clicking on this box, and seeing the two choices there, that checking the box for Itemized Deductions here was what was needed. I should have stopped at leaving the Change My Deduction box blank! Checking this box, left the box on Schedule A, Line 18 checked.)


Success! 🙂

——————————————
Thank you for your reply. No, I don’t think I’m able to report this ‘bug’ as you suggested. If I find that I am, or find a solution, I will add a note to this thread.

Level 2
Mar 31, 2024 12:31:15 PM

Additional Note:

On the Information Worksheet, Part VI, Standard Deduction/Itemized Deductions, none of these boxes should be checked.

New Member
Apr 11, 2024 10:13:17 PM

If you are using the software version vs the online version, go to Forms (Federal Information Worksheet), then to Part VI 1st item, uncheck the box, and close Form.  Worked for me.