Turbo Tax says i get a higher refund with itemized deductions and that is what i chose, but in the calculations it is applying the standard deduction. What should I do?

[kamlee]

I have talked to the first layer of support and they told me to contact TurboTax Live.  That will cost me $50 and the difference in my refund is $52 with the error.  Is there a no charge way to have my issue resolved?

[VolvoGirl]

How much are your itemized deductions?  There have been questions where the Standard Deduction + the extra $300 Charity deduction is more than your itemized.  Check 1040 line 10b.  

If it's giving you the Standard Deduction and not showing you Schedule A you can check the actual amount of itemized deductions by using by going to
Tax Tools on left
Tools - Topic Search (top left box)
Type in itemized deductions, choosing. It should highlight that in the list, click on GO

Then Click on "Change my deduction". That will display the actual amount of itemized deductions vs. the standard deduction. (Be sure to uncheck "Change my deduction" after checking it so you do not lock in the wrong deduction.

How to change between the Standard Deduction and Itemized Deductions
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-change-from-the-standard-deduction-to-item...

[SweetieJean]

Please see this re changing to Standard Deduction (which I'm surprised the TT rep didn't know):

How do I change from the standard deduction to ite... (intuit.com)

[kamlee]

Hi - It says my Itemized Deductions are 25,015 compared to the standardized deduction of 24,800.  It says that Itemized Deductions are applied, but it is populating the 24,800 in the Summary form anyways.  I have tried changing my deduction from itemized to standard, and there is no change in the federal tax refund for either setting even though its telling me there should be a difference.  Any other ideas?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Yes the Standard Deduction of 24,800 plus the extra 300 = 25,100 which is more than your itemized deductions.  Stick with Standard.  You get the extra $300 Charity on 1040 line 10b.

[kamlee]

Thank you so much!  This makes sense, they just need to fix the way they are presenting it on the screen!