With charitable deductions , my total deducations exceed $28,700 (I',m 69 yrs old) why does turbotax still recommend the Std Deduction

[gosail2000]

With charitable deductions , my total deducations exceed $28,700 (I',m 69 yrs old)  why does turbotax still recommend the Std Deduction

[Anonymous_]

Where are you looking to presume your deductions exceed $28,700 (the standard deduction)? 

Some deductions are limited (e.g., state/local property tax), including charitable deductions.

[xmasbaby0]

A charitable donation almost never changes your tax due or refund all by itself.  First, your donation does not count "dollar for dollar"--it is calculated by a percentage based on your tax bracket.  You need a LOT of other itemized deductions like mortgage interest or property taxes, medical expense, etc. to itemize and exceed your standard deduction.

Are you making the common mistake of just adding up all the amounts for your itemized deductions without considering the caps and thresholds that must be met?

STANDARD DEDUCTION

Many taxpayers are surprised because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns.  The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact since the new tax laws went into effect beginning with 2018 returns.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund.  The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting  tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. (Only the amount that is MORE than 7.5% of your AGI counts)   The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you.  Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income.  It is not a refund.  You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12a of your 2021 Form 1040.

2022 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $12,950  (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $12,950  (65 or older + $1750)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $25,900  (65 or older + $1400 per spouse)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $19,400  (65 or older +$1750)

Legally Blind + $1750

[Critter-3]

Take a look both ways ... 

You can tell the program to switch from itemized  to standard or from standard to itemized.  Follow these steps -

• Log into your account
• Click Take Me to My Return Button
• Select Federal Taxes
• Click Deductions and Credits
• Scroll to the bottom and click Wrap Up Tax Breaks
• Program will run an analysis and you might get a few more questions
• You should get to a screen entitled "We've Chosen Itemized Deductions for You" (see screenshot below)
• Underneath there will be a small checkbox that says Change My Deductions

[rjs]

@gosail2000 

Have you entered all of your income? What is your AGI (Form 1040 line 11)? The deduction for charitable contributions is generally limited to 60% of your AGI (less than 60% for certain types of charities). If your AGI is less than $47,835 your deduction for charitable contributions will be limited to $28,700 or less. If you have no other itemized deductions, the standard deduction is better for you. Even if you do have other itemized deductions, if your AGI is low, the limit on charitable donations might be keeping your total itemized deductions below the standard deduction.

(I assume you are married filing jointly and both 65 or older, since you seem to be looking at a $28,700 standard deduction.)