Married filing jointly, why did Turbotax put $27,800 in 12a deduction instead of $25,100 on 1040 as instructed?

[diverjer]

Married filing jointly, why did Turbotax put $27,800 in 12a deduction instead of $25,100 on 1040 as instructed? I filled out all the deduction using steps by step and didn't have enough to itemize which I knew would be the case.  Schedule A ended up only being $18,449.  But I filled it all out anyway as the state will let me itemize even when the Feds don't and the state picks it up from what I entered while doing the federal.  

This has got to be an easy answer because the form is clear to use $25,100 right next to the box 12a.   Yet the software put in $27,800.  What am I missing, this can't be another error- please. 

Could I have got a bad copy of software, it did an update yesterday, said version 2/2/2022.   Do the updates patch or replace all code? 

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

If you both are age 65 or older then each of you receive an additional $1,350 added to the standard deduction.  Therefor $25,100 + $1.350 + $1,350 = $27,800

Standard deductions for 2021

• Single - $12,550 add $1,700 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Separately - $12,550 add $1,350 if age 65 or older
• Married Filing Jointly - $25,100 add $1,350 for each spouse age 65 or older
• Head of Household - $18,800 add $1,700 if age 65 or older

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

How old were you at the end of 2021?   65 or older?  Your standard deduction is higher when you are 65 or older.

2021 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $12,550  (65 or older + $1700)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $12,550  (65 or older + $1350)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $25,100  (65 or older + $1350 per spouse)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD  $18,800  (65 or older +$1700)

Legally Blind + $1350

[diverjer]

Thank you all so much!!!  I knew it had to be something simple like that- yes we are both over 65.   Now if they can just fix my other problem, which they admitted is a problem all will be well.

Again, thanks for all of you giving such a quick reply.