2025 tax defaulted to standard inspite of having more than enough itemized

[pattyclerkin]

So I had $35,000 in SALT for property taxes and medical of $10,000 over my 7.5% of AGI.  Turbo tax used the standard deduction (flipped to it after I previewed it correctly to be itemized). Sadly, I did not catch the mistake until after I filed.  Reading other reviews, there is an issue with some sort of random box being checked to default to standard in some worksheets. I have tried to amend the return (and spent several hours with TT help desk on line).  It seems impossible to amend the return to itemize (the details still support itemized should have been used, but TT program says its is better to pick the standard)

Anyone have any luck fixing this via amending the return?  I fear that I will have to file paper returns for 1040X

[MonikaK1]

If you are using a Desktop version of TurboTax, go to Forms Mode (click Forms when you are in Step by Step in Windows; click Forms when in Easy Step in Mac) and check the box in the Federal Information worksheet in Part VI to choose itemized even if standard deduction is larger, TurboTax will switch to Itemized and you should be able to see the change in the Refund Tracker at the top of the screen. 

For Online, as mentioned by @LeticiaF1 in another thread:

TurboTax Online

1. Go to the screen: Based on what you told us, [either Standard Deduction or Itemizing deductions] is right for you, and select Change my deduction.
2. On the Which deduction do you want to take this year? popup, you'll see the dollar value of each deduction type.
3. Select the type of deduction you want and select Continue twice.

Have you checked to see if program shows that the Itemized Deductions as entered by you exceed your standard deduction for 2025? The standard deductions and other 2025 changes are listed in this TurboTax tips article. 

[pattyclerkin]

I already filed with the ONLINE version .  I was correctly done as Itemized and appears to have changed it when I was proof reading other parts of the return.  I was trying to fix by amending the return.  I spend an hour with a TURBO TAX person yesterday who could not fix this.  It is a glitch in the software.  My only option appears to be to manually amend 

[MarilynG1]

TurboTax may choose the Standard Deduction for you over Itemized, if the tax due/refund is the same amount either way.  This is to simplify filing and lower audit risk. 

Look at the your Form 1040, Line 12e in your saved PDF copy to see which amount was used on your return. You may not need to Amend.  In TurboTax Online, after your return has been fully processed, you can find your return under 'Tax Returns and Docs' from the Home page, and use the 'Amend' link.

Remember that an amended return does not catch up and correct your original return; it's processed separately and can take up to 12 weeks.  You have three years to amend a return.

@pattyclerkin 

[Ken14]

@MarilynG1, thanks for sharing the reason why TT chooses Standard over Itemized Deductions when the refund amount is the same. That makes sense. However, when I explicitly chose Itemized Deductions with the popup window, and the Itemized deductions button was highlighted, when I closed that popup the Deductions page still showed I had chosen Standard Deductions. That is where I think TT should be fixed to show what I had chosen.

[pattyclerkin]

@MarilynG1 

I can not imagine a scenario where the itemized amount is  $15,000 more than the standard deduction and AGI of over $100,000.  If taxable income is $120K and the itemized deductions would have been $50,000, using  a standard deduction of only $33,000 results in significantly more tax

I believe its a problem with the software  (esp since one of us is 65).  The law says you can take the $6,000 addn deduction and still itemize. The software messed up

[MarilynG1]

You can get the Senior Deduction, whether you itemize or not.  TurboTax calculates the deduction for you automatically on Schedule 1-A, Part V, and it's carried over to Form 1040, Line 13b.  If you don't see the calculation on Schedule 1-A, check the birthdates entered in the Personal Info section. 

If your Itemized Deductions on Schedule A, Line 17 are more than the Standard Deduction, you should see that amount on Form 1040, Line 12e. 

If you want us to take a closer look at your return, in TurboTax Online, click on Tax Tools in the left-side menu, then Tools, and choose 'Send Tax File to Agent'.  This creates a sanitized file, with personal info removed.  Post the Token Number here.

In TurboTax Desktop, click ONLINE at the top, then 'Send Tax File to Agent'.

@pattyclerkin