Standard Deduction Vs Itemized Deductions.

[coppens1]

This should be done automatically by the Turbotax Program.  It is simple.  If the Itemized deductions exceed the Standard Deduction,  the default should be taking the larger of the two.  The present program takes the Standard deduction in every case, unless you override it!  I consider this a programming error.  JC

[xmasbaby0]

Are you making the common mistake of just adding up all the amounts for your itemized deductions without considering the caps and thresholds that must be met?

STANDARD DEDUCTION

Many taxpayers are surprised because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns.  The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact since the new tax laws went into effect beginning with 2018 returns.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund.  The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting  tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. (Only the amount that is MORE than 7.5% of your AGI counts)   The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you.  Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. The standard deduction makes some of your income “tax free.”  It is not a refund.  You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12 of your 2023 Form 1040.

2023 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $13,850  (65 or older/legally blind + $1850)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $13,850  (65 or older/legally blind + $1500)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $27,700  (65+/legally blind) )  + $1500 per spouse

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $20,800 (65 or older/blind)  + $1850)

[DoninGA]

A test tax return using the TurboTax 2023 Premier desktop edition for Windows gives the greater Itemized Deduction from Schedule A Line 17 of $31,976 versus the Standard Deduction for Married Filing Jointly with both spouses age 65 or older of $30,700 on the Form 1040 Line 12.

There is no problem with the TurboTax program giving the larger Itemized Deduction.

For some reason you have declined to look at the Schedule A of your 2023 federal tax return to see the amount shown on Line 17 of the Schedule.

[VolvoGirl]

@coppens1 @coppens1   For some reason you keep making new posts instead of responding to the prior replies on you question.  We want to help you get to the bottom of this.  Please come back and give more details like what deductions are you entering?  What does Schedule A show?  I assume you are using the Desktop program since you mention the forms mode?

If it's giving you the Standard Deduction and not showing you Schedule A you can check the actual amount of itemized deductions. For the Desktop program, switch to Forms Mode (click Forms in the upper right). If Schedule A is not listed in the left column, you can open Schedule A by clicking on Open Form at the top of the left column and finding A in the list of US forms on the right side. You can print it from there. There are also other places like on the main Info Worksheet (not My Info or Personal Info wksht) part VI Additional Information with 3 checkboxes to force Schedule A.

How to change between the Standard Deduction and Itemized Deductions
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-change-from-the-standard-deduction-to-item...

Oh, and have you updated the program? Go up to Online-Check for Updates.