Turbotax "check for errors" will not allow the $600 limit for a joint standard deduction tax return

[cwayneu]

I am filing a joint return with standard deductions. I have tried entering the donation details, and the total of the donations (above $600) in the 1st box and $600 in the allowed max box but the "check for errors" gives me an error every time. It will only fly if I set the limit to $300. The form actually says "$300 max for single, $600 for joint", but only $300 gets by the "check for errors".

And Turbotax does not complete this worksheet form automatically with expected values, even though it has all of the information.  it needs.

Wayne U

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

For the TurboTax desktop editions -

To remove the error I went into Forms mode and deleted the Charitable Organization Worksheet.  Then on the Form 1040 Worksheet for Line 12b removed the $300 amount so Line 12b is now blank (empty).

Going back to Step-by-Step I completed the Deductions & Credits section without entering anything for a charitable donation.  Continuing through the screens until landing on the screen labeled Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act, I entered $600.  Continued through Final Review without error.

For the TurboTax online editions -

The problem appears to be that a charitable donation was entered in the Deductions and Credits section of the program when you are only eligible for the Standard Deduction.

Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the online program screen

Click on Tools

Click on Delete a form

Scroll through the all the forms, schedules and worksheets listed and delete all the Charitable Organization forms listed.

When completed with removing forms click on Continue With My Return at the bottom of the list.

Click on Federal on the left side of the screen

Click on Deductions & Credits at the top of the screen

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Wrap up tax breaks

Continue through the screens.  After the screen showing that you are getting the Standard Deduction the following screen is Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act.  Enter $600 if filing Jointly or $300 for all other filing status'.  The federal review and the Final Review should no longer show an error for the charitable donation.

[cwayneu]

It works. Thanks....

This sure seems like an oversight (mistake) by TurboTax to me. TurboTax asks us all of the information about charity donations long before we can get to the question about "Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act", not knowing that completing donations information early on will bypass this question completely causing the "check return" error. This information should automatically be forwarded to this Cares Question later.

[DLZG]

This answer works if your State follows your federal tax return.   In CA I have $13,000 of donations that I need on the state return.   If I delete them all to get the front-page deduction on federal, I would have to re-input all that info in order to file the CA return.  Then, if CA looks at the filed FED, the submitted information wouldn't match. 

Just deleting the Contribution worksheet isn't a good solution for me.   Hmm... any more tips? 

[cwayneu]

Great point. If you are filing long-form 1040 then this would screw up your state, if your state allows charity deductions. 

[DoninGA]

Please return to the Deductions & Credits section, scroll down to "Charitable Donations" and DELETE any cash entries you made there.

To include charitable donations for your state return, you can enter the donations as "Items" select "I'll value them, select "Other intangible property" enter the description as cash if it was and the amount as the value.

Go back through the review. The program will ask you for that number again although it may not be until the END of the FINAL REVIEW. (After the "Tax Summary for 2021" screen)

Enter the amount up to 600 Married Filing Joint.

[cwayneu]

Yes, this is a workaround, but Turbotax needs to fix this.