TurboTax 2019 - entering charitable contributions

[ProTechLew]

I am to the point of entering my charitable contributions and got tot he "How often you give" question. Just for kicks I decided to enter the same info all 3 ways (One time, Multiple times same amount and Multiple times different amounts). If I use the One time option, a contribution of $4800 drops my tax liability by $6166. If I do multiple times / same amount the tax liability doesn't change. If I do multiple times / different amounts the tax liability drops by $6166 again. Why is there a difference due to how the money was contributed?

[Texas Roger]

If you enter the information is such a way that the total contribution is always the same, there will be no difference in the affect on taxes. You may have made a mistake entering it as the same amount multiple times. The only thing TurboTax uses for the contribution amount is the total amount of the contribution regardless of how you enter it. 

[SteamTrain]

Though, something sounds fishy. 

A $6166 drop for a $4800 donation seems a bit much, unless there was some underpayment penalty involved before vs after....or maybe it brought max  income down to be eligible for some credit based on "Taxable" income and not AGI  (most are based on AGI, or MAGI....before itemized deductions are applied)

[Critter-3]

the IRS only gets ONE total amount ... how you enter it in the program is immaterial ... so use the one time method and enter the total once ... less chance for entry errors.  

You can peek at only  the Federal form 1040 and the summary of the state info by going here:

1) lower- Left side of the screen...click to the left side of the "Tax Tools" text selection.
2)  then select "Tools"
3) then select "View Tax Summary" from the pop-up
4) then back to the left-side and "Preview 1040"

Then hit the "Back" on the left side to get back to your tax entries.

To view your entire return using the online editions (including the state) before you file, you will need to pay for your online account.

To pay the TurboTax online account fees by credit card, without completing the 2019 return at this time, click on Tax Tools >>> Tools  and then Print Center.  Then click on Print, save or preview this year's return.  On the next page, to pay by credit card, click Continue.  On the next screen it will ask if you want Audit Defense, if you do not want this option just click on the Continue button.  The next screen will ask for all your credit card information so you can pay for the account.

[Critter-3]

If you are using the downloaded version then switch to the FORMS mode to review everything.