Tax Year 2020 - Why is TurboTax not applying my itemized deductions when they are larger than the standard deduction?

[rukraz2]

No matter what I do, TurboTax is only applying the standard deduction of 24800 when my itemized are larger at 25078

[LenaH]

If your itemized deductions are greater than the Standard Deduction, TurboTax will automatically use the itemized deductions on your Schedule A. 

Some deductions are subject to limitations, so this could have changed what was the most beneficial deduction in your tax situation. 

If you need to review your deductions or force the use of Itemized Deductions, please follow the steps below: 

1. Open your return.
2. Click on Tax Tools on the left hand side.
3. Click on Tools.
4. Click Topic Search. 
5. Search "itemized deductions, choosing"
6. Click on Change my deduction.
7. Choose Itemized Deductions under Which deduction do you want to take this year? 

[Critter-3]

Ok ...  for 2020 & 2021 there is a new rule where you can take the standard deduction 24800 + 300 cash contributions which gives you an overall deduction of 25100 which is just a bit more than 25078 ... so the program is correct ... stop trying to fight it.

[MRAM2020]

My Mortgage interest alone is greater than the married filing joint deduction -add the $10K for prop tax and stated and we are way over the standard deduction - TT is insisting on the standard deduction and I click use itemized and it comes back with $19K of itemized.  This is wrong  - we are not in phase out we have less than @$220K in income.  Tried the help however there is no Tools on the left side - Tools are on top and there is no option for itemized in there - is this to be fixed in future roll outs.  

[Critter-3]

@MRAM2020 

Did you look at the sch A yet ?   Is it correct or not ?    If not then which lines are not correct ?   Do you have more than one 1098 form to enter ? 

[rv23fan]

I have the exact same problem, only once the return was open and I started working on it, the Tax Tools showed up and I was able to access the topic.  However, I tried to change to Itemized Deductions and it WOULD NOT LET ME.  Just popped back to Standard.

[rv23fan]

These instructions work to get to the right place, but I cannot change the deduction to Itemized.  I try and it pops it back to Standard repeatedly.

[JoannaB2]

Yes.  If your itemized was more than your standard deduction, you may try to do it manually to select itemized deduction.  To select itemized deduction:

1. Click the Federal Taxes tab. ...
2. Then, Deductions & Credits. ...
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom, and click Wrap up tax breaks. 
4. Continue through the interview screens.
5. Under "Let's make sure you're taking the deduction to keep you taxes accurate", select "we're itemizing our deductions", click continue

 Eligible taxpayers use Schedule A  to figure itemized deductions.  In most cases,  federal income tax will be less if you take the larger of your itemized deduction

[mamiamjo]

This is exactly what happened to me. Unfortunately the TT software is saying that Itemized Deductions is better, but when you continue it shows an error and wants you to enter an amount in 10b of the charitable giving form, under Standard Deduction, which according to TT I wasn't using (I was supposed to be better with Itemized). If you don't enter anything here (again I thought I was itemizing) it just loops you back to Deduction and then it starts all over again.

The software should've called out that I am allowed the Standard Deduction plus $300 cash deduction = $25,100 (which is slightly better than my itemized deduction) and tell me I should take the Standard Deduction. Instead it told me that Itemized is better, but then I keep getting the error because it's looking for an amount in 10b for Standard Deduction :(

[DaveF1006]

Did you try entering $300 just to see if the error persists?

[1preguntas2]

I am having this problem.  I need help with switching to itemizing so mortgage and medical kicks in... called TurboTax and on the phone for a long time.  I am not sure what to do, and I am not sure what I am not understanding.  Do I really have to go to a professional and pay them to figure this out?

[1preguntas2]

My version is not offering a Tool option!

[JohnW152]

If you don’t see Tools in the left pane in TurboTax Online, then:

1. If you’re on the Hi TurboTax Client, let's keep working on your taxes! screen, with Personal Info, Income & Expenses, etc. beneath, and none of those are open, click the dropdown next to any of the categories, then click the Review/Edit or Pick up where you left off button

2. This will produce a pane on the left side of your screen

3. In the left pane, select Tax Tools

4. Then, under that, select Tools

@1preguntas2

[Jojo1210]

Why is Turbotax forcing me to use the standard deductions when my itemized deductions are higher?

[LenaH]

The reason for this could be if you are taking the charitable contribution deduction ($300 or $600 depending on your filing status) on top of your standard deduction. If so, the standard deduction may be more beneficial to you.

When you preview your return, is there an amount on your 1040, Line 12b?

Please follow these steps to preview your 1040:

1. Open your return.
2. Click on Tax Tools on the left-hand side.
3. Click on Tools.
4. Click on View Tax Summary.
5. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left-hand side.
6. Scroll down to your 1040, Line 12b.

Line 12b is your contribution deduction amount on top of your standard deduction. Considering Line 12b, your deduction may be greater if you take the standard deduction. 

@Jojo1210