Turbo Tax is saying itemized is best for me but then changing it to standard deduction?

[jake-1299]

Why is Turbo Tax recommending I itemize and then switching me to standard deduction?

[KathrynG3]

Watch carefully what is done at the optimization screen. You may be clicking Change my deduction rather than Continue which would switch it back to claiming the standard deduction.

For more information, see: How does the Standard Deduction differ from itemizing deductions?

See the attached screenshot:

[njprob]

The same thing happened to me. It tells me itemized deductions are higher than the standard deduction. The refund amount at the top of the screen shows the amount for the standard deduction. I clicked on the Continue button and the standard deduction is used for the tax return. In my case it is a small difference ($14) between the two, but I can't get it to change.

[VolvoGirl]

That's because the Standard Deduction + the extra 300 for charity is more than your Itemized Deductions .  Check 1040 line 10b.

[njprob]

If the Standard Deduction + $300 is more than Itemized the Itemized Deduction, then why is the refund greater with the Itemized deduction. In the bar graph it shows the refund for the Itemized deduction. The Refund at the top of the screen shows the refund with the standard deduction.

[ReneeM7122]

This could be because of the way that the CARES Act allows non-itemizers to take a $300 charity deduction.  In prior years, only itemizers could get a benefit from giving charity.  If your overall return gives you a better refund by itemizing, then don't pay attention to the charity deduction, and let the software itemize for you.

@njprob