I'm filing Married Filing Separately. Turbotax is recommending itemized deductions, but the Standard deduction amount is greater?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Is your spouse itemizing on their return?  For MFS if one spouse itemizes then the other spouse must itemize also, even if it is zero.  

And may I ask why you are filing separate returns?  Sometimes people don't realize the differences between filing  Joint and MFS.

 Here's some things to consider about filing separately……

In the first place you each have to file a separate return, so that's two returns.  And if you are using the Online version that means using 2 accounts and paying the fees twice.  The Desktop CD/Download program would be better to use.

Many people think they come out better when filing Married Filing Separate but they are probably doing it wrong.  If one person itemizes deductions on Schedule A then the other one must itemize too, even if it's less than the standard deduction, even if it is ZERO!  And if you are in a Community Property state it can be complicated to figure out.

And there are several credits you can't take when filing separately, like the

EITC Earned Income Tax Credit

Child Care Credit

Educational Deductions and Credits

And contributions to IRA and ROTH IRA are limited when you file MFS.

Also if you file Married Filing Separately up to 85`% of your Social Security becomes taxable right away even with zero other income.

See …….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/married/help/is-it-better-for-a-married-couple-to-file-jointly-or-...