Why did TurboTax take only $300 for charitable contributions for the standard deduction for married filing jointly instead of the allowed $600?

[k672m]

I entered well over $600 in charitable donations.

[HelenC12 · Accepted solution]

To reap tax benefits for making charitable donations, you must generally itemize your deductions rather than taking the standard deduction.

• For 2021, if you’re claiming the standard deduction, this amount is up to $600 per tax return for those filing married filing jointly and $300 for other filing statuses.)

You can correct this by logging back into your TurboTax program and following the steps below.

1. Click on the Federal Taxes tab.
2. Select the Deductions & Credits tab.
3. On the screen titled How do you want to enter your deductions and credits?, select I'll choose what I work on.
4. Scroll down to Charitable Donations.
5. Select Update to the right of Donations to Charity in 2021.
6. You will see a screen titled Review All Your Charities.
7. To the right of any deductions entered, select Delete to remove any input.
8. You will then select Done with Charitable Donations.
9. On the next page (Deductions), scroll down to the bottom and click on Done with Deductions.
10. Proceed through the following screens until you pass the screen letting you know you are getting the Standard Deduction.  
11. The next screen titled Charitable Cash Contributions under the Care Act will allow you to enter your charitable contributions for 2021.  Enter your total cash contributions on this screen and select Continue.

Source: JotikaT2 Employee Tax Expert

[k672m]

I did the suggestions above and it changed the charitable contributions to $600, however when I log back into my account it rolls back to the $300. 

It also seems to be saving a donation from our K-1. I cannot edit or delete until charitable contributions.

I never see this screen: Charitable contributions under the Cares Act

after following your directions.

How do I save this so it stays at $600?

[DaveF1006]

It depends. See if you can go to tax tools>tools>delete a form>delete all worksheets and forms related to charitable deductions.  if you see a Schedule A, delete that also. Also you might go to the K1 and not record the charitable deduction it has listed.

[link458]

I was able to correct the 12b line to $600 BUT when I went to NC state tax it recalculed the federal tax based on the $300.

My solution was to file the fed tax with the corrected AGAIN $600; then in another session just file the state tax

Didn't purchase Turbo Tax Deluxe just to correct the software and perform my own work around

DISAPPOINTED and wasted at least an hour

[k672m]

@DaveF1006 

I deleted all charitable donations including on the K1.  It still shows $300 instead of $600. I do have Married Filing Jointly checked.  I'm at a loss on how to correct this.

[JamesG1]

Federal 1040 line 12b Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act can be entered or removed at either: 

• Federal Taxes / Deductions & Credits / Your tax breaks / Donations to Charity in 2021 or
• at the screen Charitable Cash Contributions under CARES Act immediately following Based on what you just told us, the Standard Deduction is best for you. 

But the second entry appears to produce better results. 

That is why some are recommending that you delete Donations to Charity in 2021.  This invokes the standard deduction and the second option becomes available to you.

• Remove the entries at Donations to Charity in 2021 by deleting the entries.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Wrap up tax breaks.
• You will see the screen Based on what you just told us, the Standard Deduction is best for you.
• At the screen titled Charitable Cash Contributions under the CARES Act, make sure that the box contains the amount of the deduction for which you qualify.
• At Other Tax Situations, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Let’s keep going.
• Continue through Review. 

Go to Tax Tools / Tools / View Tax Summary / Preview my 1040 to view line 12b for the charitable deduction.

How much are the charitable contributions recorded on the K-1?  Please clarify.

@k672m

[k672m]

@HelenC12 

I was able to resolve it by calling Turbotax and speaking to someone.  They walked me through your steps. I had to remove all charitable contributions and then I was finally able to get to the screen on the  Charitable Contributions under Cares Act and enter in the correct amount.