It is making me take the standard deduction but itemized would benefit me much more. why is it giving me no choice and giving me the worst choice?

[liak]

I itemized last year and can do so again this year.  First time I'm using turbo tax.  Turbo tax gives me no choice.  It chose standard deduction for me and has locked me in to this.  Why has it chosen the less favorable choice for me and why will it not let me do itemized.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

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 thresholds  (for example: only the amount of your medical deductions that are over 10% of your AGI or over 7.5% if you are 65 or older are “counted”) or are calculated by a percentage of what you entered. 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. Here are the Standard Deductions for 2016

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income.  It is not a refund 

2016 Standard Deductions

Single    $6300  (65 or older + $1550)

Married Filing Separately   $6300  (65 or older +  $1250)

Married Filing Jointly           $12,600  (65 or older + $1250@)

Head of Household $9300  (65 or older + $1550)

[liak]

Thank you!  Found out I was missing a form---have found it---made big difference---confusion now cleared up and turbotax found innocent