Standard Deduction (12K) not being used when Married Filing Separately - why?

You may have selected that your spouse itemized his/her deductions. You have to choose the same option as your spouse.

thank you---where would I have indicated that my spouse itemized her deductions?  My spouse hasn't completed the return yet.

Why do you think the program is making you itemize?

Because after i "Wrap up Income", and page thru the ads for upgrading TurboTax, it takes me directly to into Deductions and Credits with "Got it--Lets get some more info on these additional tax breaks", and goes right into itemized deductions----no option for the standard deduction.

The program does that automatically. If you just skip through that section, you will receive the standard deduction.

so, dont update any of the itemized deduction fields that i used last year--skip thru and then the Standard Deduction becomes a choice at the end?  

It's not even a choice. The program just give you the standard because it's a better tax benefit than the itemized deductions.

If I want to claim itemized deduction for state, can I choose standard deduction for federal only?

Yes, as long as you have entered all of the deductions on your federal interview section, your entries will be pulled into your state return even though you can only take the standard deduction on your federal return.

As long as you live in a state that allows you to itemize even though your federal return is using the standard deduction, you would be okay to prepare your state return using a different deduction method.

@szeleung

But TT does not give me an option to choose standard deduction even at the first frame where I list personal information for me and my spouse.  Because I've entered info on Schedule A to itemize on State return, How do I override on the federal?

You can make this selection by going back into the federal interview section when logged into TurboTax.

1. Go back to your Deductions & Credits Screen. 
2. Scroll down to the bottom and select Wrap up Tax Breaks 
3. You should continue through the screens until you see the following screen: 

Your information will be summarized based upon your input.  You have the option to see the breakdown or you can even select "Change my deduction". 

Please note, TurboTax will select the option which provides the greater tax benefit for you. 

Thanks; that worked. 

Now I am using TT Premiere, but realize I need Schedule C to report Other Income-Misc; however, this version of TT does provide copy of Schedule C for me to complete; do I have to buy a whole new TT Business version or can I upgrade from Premiere?

Help with upgrading your TurboTax product has been provided by clicking here.