Schedule A to Form 1040

[garykyf]

If line17 of skd A is =22,315. why is ln12 form 1040 =30,700? filing jointly..

[rjs · Accepted solution]

The $30,700 on Form 1040 line 12 is the standard deduction. TurboTax uses that because it's more than your itemized deductions of $22,315 on Schedule A. Deducting the higher amount means you pay less tax or get a bigger refund. TurboTax automatically uses either itemized deductions or the standard deduction, whichever is higher.

[barbholc]

The program assumes that you would rather have a large standard deduction of $30,000+ than a smaller itemized deduction of $22,000+.  You get more tax free money that way.  If your schedule A number was say $32,000 then that number would go into the 1040.