Standard Vs, Itemized Deductions

[tom644]

I am filing as Married filing separately.  The standard deduction as I underastand for 2018 is 13,300 (over 65).  My itemized deductions are approx $7500 yet Turbotax doesnt take the standard deduction but uses the itemized deductions to arrive at my tax.  Why dont they use standard deduction?

[AnnetteB · Accepted solution]

There is a special rule for taxpayers using the Married Filing Separate (MFS) filing status.

If your spouse used itemized deductions, then you must also use itemized deductions.  This applies even if the standard deduction would be better for your taxes.

TurboTax uses the information that you entered in the Personal Info section about your filing status and spouse in order to determine which deduction to use for MFS taxpayers.  Go back to the Personal Info > Filing Status section to review this in order to be sure you answered the questions correctly for your situation.

For more information about this rule, see page 22 Standard Deduction of IRS Publication 501 by clicking the link below.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

[CB68jen67]

TurboTax will not let me use standard deduction and requiring itemized deduction. How do I get around itemized deduction?

[xmasbaby0]

@CB68jen67 Did you read the reply directly above your own question?  If you filed married filing separately you have to file exactly the same way as your spouse, so if the spouse itemized you also must itemize. That is a strict rule if you file married filing separately.   If you did not file MFS, post back.

[al45]

Using standard deduction for federal return but want to use itemized deductions on Virginia return.Turbo carries to state return status used on Federal return. How do I fix this ? 

[DeanM15]

If you use the Federal Standard Deduction, you must also use the Virginia standard deduction. Same for itemizing, if you itemize on the Federal return, you must itemize on the Virginia state return.  

See more here. 

@al45

[StansNY]

If I use the standard deduction for 2020 i get a refund of all the taxes I withheld. I can also use itemized deductions that  are greater than my standard deduction. If there any benefit to use the itemized deduction.

[VolvoGirl]

Maybe.  Even if you take the Standard Deduction on Federal you might be able to itemize on State.  One thing, if you Itemize and get a state refund then the refund will be taxable income the next year.  Probably some other reasons too.  Oh, if you take the Standard Deduction there is now a $300 charity deduction you can deduct separately in addition to it.

[DoninGA]

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@StansNY wrote:

If I use the standard deduction for 2020 i get a refund of all the taxes I withheld. I can also use itemized deductions that  are greater than my standard deduction. If there any benefit to use the itemized deduction.

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If you have state income taxes you may benefit more on the state return if you itemize your deductions on the federal return.  Most states require you to use the same type of deduction as was used on the federal tax return. 

[Critter-3]

If the bottom line is the same either way for BOTH the fed & state returns then there is no difference at all. 

[tom_paolucci2]

How do I change to itemized deduction from standard deduction?

Turbo has selected standard and in the summary zeroed out all my deductions.

[VolvoGirl]

Everyone gets to take a Standard Deduction amount off their income before the tax is calculated (it's a good thing - it lowers your income).  Which means the first 12,550 Single (25,100 Joint) of your income is not taxed and is tax free.  Unless their itemized deductions are more.  Itemized deductions are things like Medical, Gifts to Charity, State Income Taxes Paid, Mortgage Interest, Property Taxes, Car Registration fees, etc.

If it's giving you the Standard Deduction and  not showing you Schedule A you can check the actual amount of itemized deductions by using by going to

Tax Tools on left

Tools - Topic Search (top left box)

Type in  itemized deductions, choosing.  It should highlight that in the list, click on GO

Then Click on "Change my deduction". That will display the actual amount of itemized deductions vs. the standard deduction.    (Be sure to uncheck "Change my deduction" after checking it so you do not lock in the wrong deduction.

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...