The ability to compare your standard deduction to your itemized deductions allows you to decide if you wish to itemize your return or use the standard deduction. The program will automatically use the higher of the two deductions to calculate your return.
You can view the comparison by going to:
- Federal
- Deductions
- Select my forms
- View Standard vs Itemized Deductions
How to Force Itemized deductions
You may wish to force the program to use the itemized deductions over the standard. For example, if you are using the Married Filing Separate filing status and either spouse itemizes their deductions, the other spouse must also itemize their deductions. You must manually force the program to use the itemized deductions if the Standard Deduction is greater. To force the Itemized Deductions, go to the:
- Federal
- Deductions
- Select my forms
- Itemized Deductions
- Choose to Itemize or Take the Standard Deduction
- Force to use itemized deduction
Note: You cannot force the program to use the standard deduction. The program will automatically select the better of the two deductions for you based on the information entered in your return.
Why is There No Standard Deduction?
You can see the standard or itemized deduction amount claimed on your return by navigating to the Review >> Summary page and clicking on the Tax and Credits listing.
Note: the new $6000 senior deduction is not added to your standard deduction. However, the senior deduction amount claimed on your return is also listed under the Tax and Credits section of the Summary page.