Should be able to take $600 in charitable deduction above standard deduction based on special tax deduction in cares act however entered donations (Tax Year 2021)

[AamilD]

Yes, you can take $600 charitable deduction if married filing jointly even if you are taking the standard deduction. 

Please follow the steps below to enter Donations under the CARES Act:

1. Click on Tax Home from the left side menu.
2. Click on Deductions & Credits from the main screen.
3. Scroll to the very bottom and you should see an option for "Wrap up tax breaks".
4. On he next page you should see a page titled "Get a tax break for donating cash to charity" . On this screen, you can enter the information.

[Toddlasher]

Thanks.  Unfortunately “wrap up tax breaks” didn’t take me to that screen.  will try on desktop, currently on phone.

[Toddlasher]

Ok, played with it some more and got to the Cares act donation screen but the $600 entry did not change my refund 

[Toddlasher]

Ok, think it worked now.

The only way I could get the option to enter the cares act donation $600 was to take out all of the donations that I entered under my normal charitable deductions prior to getting to this page. Seems like a bit of a glitch.

[Cynthiad66]

If you mean you can take the $600 Charitable Contribution in addition to the Standard Deduction, then your return processed accurately.  The $600 deduction is if you do not itemize your deductions but take the standard deduction.

Ordinarily, people who choose to take the standard deduction cannot claim a deduction for their charitable contributions. But a temporary law change now permits them to claim a limited deduction on their 2021 federal income tax returns for cash contributions made to qualifying charitable organizations. Nearly nine in 10 taxpayers now take the standard deduction and could potentially qualify.

Under this provision, individual tax filers, including married individuals filing separate returns, can claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made to qualifying charities during 2021. The maximum deduction is increased to $600 for married individuals filing joint returns.

Use this link for more information.  Special Contributions Deduction

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