Standard deduction and property taxes

[arcticranger]

I thought that taking the standard deduction in 2020 meant I could not deduct property taxes, mortgage interest and other stuff, but it's telling me to upgrade to Deluxe to do just that.  Can someone tell me whether to bother upgrading or not?

[Bsch4477]

If you are sure that your itemized deductions are not greater than your standard deduction you would not have to upgrade. But be sure to check your state standard deduction if you pay state tax since that might be less than your itemized deductions. 

[rjs]

Since you are using the CD/Download TurboTax software, you do not have to upgrade in order to claim itemized deductions. TurboTax is recommending the upgrade, but it's not required. TurboTax Deluxe would give you a more detailed interview and additional help for deductions, but you can enter itemized deductions in Basic. It won't do any harm to enter them and see if they add up to more than your standard deduction.

[xmasbaby0]

If you want to skip entering your itemized deductions you can do that.  Many people will not have enough itemized deductions this year to itemize, and will just be getting their new higher standard deduction.  The thing is, though, that some of those deductions could make a difference on a state return even if they do not affect your federal return.  Information flows from your federal return to your state return, so it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and enter them anyhow.  It cannot hurt you.

The following states allow you to itemize deductions on just the state return: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Wisconsin, 

[Critter-3]

ALL the downloaded versions can handle ALL the same tax forms & situations   however the program will always try to UPSELL you along the way for more "Assistance"  so read the screen again ... it may be suggested but upgrading is never required.    Look at the side by side comparison ... note it says extra/additional help is available  and not that an upgrade is required :  https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

Only 2 things the Basic doesn't have is a state program included (it is an upcharge) and it will not import from It's Deductible.