$600 (Married) Above the Line Cash Charitable Deduction Erroneously Added to Itemized Return

[Joe S]

We are itemizing on the federal return even though TurboTax 'recommends' taking the standard deduction, because it works out better overall considering the state tax return. However, the program keeps adding in a $600 (married) cash charitable contribution which should only be available to filers who are taking the standard deduction.  This seems to me to be an error or glitch in the software. I am told that TurboTax has an investigation (No. 19984) of this glitch but I have heard nothing further from TurboTax.

[DaveF1006]

To check whether or not you are actually itemizing, do the following.

1. Go to federal>deductions and credits
2. Continue all the way through the program until you reach a screen that says the Standard Deduction is right For you. Look down the page until you see a selection change my  deduction. Here you can indicate you wish to change to taking the federal itemized deduction. 
3. After making this selection, continue to the next screen and remove your $600 contribution.

[DaveF1006]

To check whether or not you are actually itemizing, do the following.

1. Go to federal>deductions and credits
2. Continue all the way through the program until you reach a screen that says the Standard Deduction is right For you. Look down the page until you see a selection change my  deduction. Here you can indicate you wish to change to taking the federal itemized deduction. 
3. After making this selection, continue to the next screen and remove your $600 contribution.