Entering contribution totals

[Onefish]

I've done all the work needed to summarize my contributions. All the necessary documents (proof for all >$250 donations as well as receipts for everything else) are in order and I've prepared an excel spreadsheet with the detail of my cash contributions—everything the IRS would require in the event of an audit. Using the override function I attempted to enter the total cash contributions directly to Schedule A but TT seems to be objecting—because I haven't filled in the detail TT wants, but that the IRS does not require?  Why does TT require me to do the work all over again, one organization at a time?

[Kat]

Using TurboTax Online requires that you enter each charitable organization individually so the program can generate your Schedule A.  Overriding the interview typically will not allow you to e-file and negates the guarantee.

I'm sorry.  The program will properly generate your Schedule A when you've entered your information.  It isn't difficult.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  

[Onefish]

Ah, I see. TurboTax wants to play IRS auditor. That's not really their role though, is it? The guarantee should cover whether the data is properly filled in, not whether I can add correctly or decide what is or is not a legitimate contribution.  I can make an error (or cheat if I had a mind to) whether I do it TT's way or my own way....repeating all that detail doesn't add anything to whether or not my data is correct and truthful. 

Thanks for your response. @ka 

[Kat]

I don't think TurboTax is trying to play the IRS, or police your entries.  You're correct:  you could enter any numbers you wish and make up fake charities.  TurboTax won't stop you from doing that.  But the IRS likely will.

As you may imagine, there are TurboTax users of varied "skill levels" in preparing tax returns.  That's why the Online program requires users to answer the interview questions step-by-step, and then generate the forms that their answers dictate.  As a self-prepared tax program, TurboTax can only report the data that you've entered.  However, one of the core tenets is that TurboTax can file only a return that has been prepared properly, i.e. from a technical standpoint.  You get it....correct Schedules and Forms based on data input.

Please accept my apologies for you having to repeat data entries.  An Excel spreadsheet is a great way to keep up with things.  With any tax prep software, you'd have to enter your charitable contributions  in order to generate Schedule A.  I'm not a TT employee, by the way.  Simply a volunteer.

Thanks for being a charitable person.  That means a lot these days, in my opinion.  Best of luck.

[Onefish]

@ka 
This makes me curious. Does TT file everything with the IRS--i.e., schedules and all? It wouldn't matter to me if it did; seeing more detail might make an audit easier to get through.

I suppose as well that requiring a detailed entry on donations would be a way to sell the companion "ItsDeductible." TT knows its marketing, no?  😉

All the best to you. 

[Kat]

@Onefish My understanding is that the filing document contains Schedules, but no worksheets.  But if you'd like to see what's filed with the IRS, you can view/print only those documents using the instructions below.  I think this is available once your return has been accepted.

How do I get a copy of a return I filed this year in TurboTax Online? 

I don't use ItsDeductible, but I don't find entering the contributions to be difficult, or even overly tedious.  Hope you find the same!