TT Premier 2021 Online incorrectly reports a $300 deduction for MFJ filers if you take standard deduction. TT Deluxe does not have this problem. How can I fix this ?

[hosituandung]

This is on Line 12b of Form 1040.  The correct deduction was apparently updated in TT Deluxe but not in Premier

[GeorgeDenseff]

Software is still being updated.  

[KrisD15]

@hosituandung

Please try these steps if you entered Donations to Charity or selected to use Itemized Deductions before switching to the Standard Deduction.  

PLEASE NOTE, if you entered "Donations to Charity in 2021" under Deductions & Credits, you may need to delete that entry before switching to taking the Standard Deduction and the “above the line” "Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act". 

Click Deduction & Credits on the screen, and scroll down to "Donations to Charity in 2021" and click EDIT/ADD

Delete all entries

Click "Done with Charitable Donations" when all entries have been deleted.

NEXT:

Click Tax Tools on the left side bar

Click Tools from the drop-down

Click the "Topic Search" box on the screen

Type or scroll down to    standard deduction and exemptions

Click GO 

The next screen gives you an option to change your selection from Standard to Itemized and back. You do not need to change your selection if you are taking the standard deduction and the charity cash contribution.

Please verify that you are selecting the Standard Deduction on that screen

Scroll down to the bottom of that screen and click CONTINUE

The next screen is the Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act screen

IF YOU ARE CLAIMING STANDARD DEDUCTION enter the amount of cash contributions you made, up to  600 if Married Filing Jointly

Scroll down and click Continue

Click Continue on the next screen

[thudung1]

Hello Kris,

Thanks for your clear and detailed response, and for sharing your expertise. 

I made the changes you suggested and got the correct $600 deduction on Line 12b.

I still would like to ask TT to update the software such that less experienced users can get the correct deduction in a more straight forward manner, i.e. users can report the charitable contributions directly in "Deductions and Credits", then if TT determines that the standard deduction applies, it will automatically show the applicable and corresponding deduction for charitable donations on Line 12b ($300 for singles and MFS filers, or $600 for MFJ filers).

Your feedback is very helpful and truly appreciated.

Regards,

Tuan