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
- Use Standard or Itemized Deduction
You cannot force the program to use the standard deduction. If your itemized deductions are more than your standard deductions and you want to use the standard deduction, remove your itemized deduction entries.