Turbotax 2025 premier desktop calculates my Schedule A itemized deductions at $42000 (w/ limitations), but defaults to using the standard deduction ($31500) instead??

[cmctjohnson]

Why does turbotax select the standard deduction when the schedule A itemized deductions are higher?

[LindaS5247]

Generally, TurboTax will choose the most beneficial deduction for you to use. If TurboTax is telling you to take the Standard Deduction over itemizing your deductions, it's possible that the box to take the standard deduction was inadvertently checked.

Sometimes taking the Standard Deduction on your federal return results in a better overall tax position when combining your federal and state tax returns. Or if the standard deduction already reduces your taxable income to zero, itemizing provides no real benefit.

You could try manually changing your deduction from the Standard Deduction to Itemized Deductions using the instructions below to see the overall impact.   

If you are using TurboTax Online:

1. In your left panel scroll down to "Tax Tools"
2. Click on "Tools"
3. Click on the box "Topic Search"
4. In the box that says "I'm looking for:" type in "Standard Deduction"
5. This will take you to the page "Based on what you told us..."
6. Here you can change your deduction by clicking the box "Change my Deduction" 

If you are using TurboTax Desktop:

1. Go to "Federal Taxes" tab in the gray bar at the top of your screen
2. Select the "Deductions & Credits" tab (under Federal Taxes in the gray bar at the top of your screen
3. Click on "I'll Choose What to Work On"
4. Select "Continue" at the bottom of the page
5. Select "Continue" on the next page that says "Let's Check Your Deductions and Credits"
6. Select "Continue" on the next page that says "Here Are Your 2025 Deductions & Credits"
7. The following page will give you the opportunity to change your deduction by clicking on the box "Change my deduction"

Also, you can review your Tax Summary. It will allow you to see what is happening on the return and review the calculations. You can make changes and then view it again.

To do this: 

1. Click on Tax Tools in the left panel of your TurboTax screen, then click Tools. 
2. Choose View Tax Summary and then click on Preview my 1040. 
3. If you are using TurboTax Desktop, you can switch to Forms Mode by clicking on Forms at the top right of your TurboTax screen. 
4. Then scroll down your list of forms on your left to find Tax Summary.

Click here for information on changing your deduction.

 Click here for Standard Deduction vs. Itemized Deductions: Which Is Better?

 Please return to Community if you have any additional information or questions and we would be happy to help.

[cmctjohnson]

After several frustrating hours, finally figured out how to fix this issue.  Go to Forms 1040, then click "Info Wks".  In Part VI of the worksheet a box was checked labeled "use standard deduction even if lower than itemized deductions".  I unchecked this box, and then the larger itemized deduction amount was used - issue resolved!  I have no idea how this box got checked in the first place, but there should be a more obvious way to correct this situation. 

Turbotax is usually so good at querying you to maximize deductions - there should be a prompt saying "are you sure you want to use standard deductions even though your itemized deductions are higher?"  This would have saved me hours of frustration.

[AmyC]

We at Intuit TurboTax want our users to be completely delighted with their experience using our products and services, and successful in their financial lives and businesses.

Once you file your return, as long as the settings to receive communication from Intuit don’t block it, you will see a pop-up message or receive an email with a survey asking you about your experience. We encourage you to leave your notes and comments there. “Voice of the Customer” notes and comments are read and acted upon. 

If you are using TurboTax Desktop, you can also leave feedback at the Final Steps tab.