Standard Deduction plus the $300. Why won't TurboTax allow us to take the extra $300.?

[JamesG1 · Accepted solution]

Make sure that you pass completely through the sections Deductions & Credits and Other Tax Situations after you enter or remove the contribution.

Federal 1040 line 12b Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act can be entered or removed at either: 

• Federal Taxes / Deductions & Credits / I'll Choose What I Want To Work On / Charitable Donations / Donations to Charity in 2021 or
• at the screen Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act immediately following Based on what you just told us, the Standard Deduction is best for you. 

But the second entry appears to produce better results.  

• Remove the entry at Donations to Charity in 2021 by deleting the entry.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Wrap up tax breaks.
• You will see the screen Based on what you just told us, the Standard Deduction is best for you.
• At the screen titled Charitable Cash Contributions under the CARES Act, make sure that the box contains the amount of the deduction for which you qualify.
• At Other Tax Situations, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Let’s keep going.
• Continue through Review. 

Go to Tax Tools / Tools / View Tax Summary / Preview my 1040 to view line 12b for the charitable deduction.