why doesn't my schedule A for charitable contributions appear?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
December 25, 2024
1 reply
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I entered my charitable contributions into a schedule A , but that for was not saved. Can someone explain why?

Best answer by xmasbaby0

thanks you for the response. is there a reason for this? "online does not have forms mode, so you cannot look at forms or schedules as you work."

shouldn't the user experience be the same?

@JB_tax_man Are you asking why online software does not have forms mode so that you could look at all of the forms and schedules as you prepare your return? If you could do that, there would be users who would just use the software, re-copy the information onto a paper Form 1040, etc. and never pay TurboTax. With desktop software, you pay for the software upfront before you use it----so you have Forms mode with that version of the software.

With online, you can preview your Form 1040, but to see any of the schedules like Schedule A, you have to pay your fees.

PREVIEW 1040

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901539-how-do-i-preview-my-turbotax-online-return-before-filing

Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the screen. Click on Tools. Click on View Tax Summary. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left side of the screen.

rjs

Employee

"I entered my charitable contributions into a schedule A"

Exactly how did you enter the contributions? You cannot enter contributions directly on Schedule A. If you are using forms mode you have to enter the contributions on a Charitable Organization Worksheet. Or you can enter the contributions using the Step-by-Step interview.

Are you using the downloaded desktop TurboTax software installed on your computer or the web-based TurboTax Online?

Even after you enter charitable contributions, Schedule A will not appear in your tax return unless your total itemized deductions are more than your standard deduction. In the desktop TurboTax software you can open Schedule A in forms mode even if it's not included in your tax return. The contributions that you entered will be there.

xmasbaby0

Employee

If you do not have enough deductions to itemize, then your donations will not affect your refund or tax due. You will just receive the standard deduction.

A charitable donation almost never changes your tax due or refund all by itself. First, your donation does not count "dollar for dollar"--it is calculated by a percentage based on your tax bracket. You need a LOT of other itemized deductions like mortgage interest or property taxes, medical expense, etc. to itemize and exceed your standard deduction.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund. The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. (Only the amount that is MORE than 7.5% of your AGI counts) The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you. Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. The standard deduction makes some of your income “tax free.” It is not a refund. You will see your standard or itemized deduction amount on line 12 of your 2024 Form 1040.

2024 STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS

SINGLE $14,600 (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY $14,600 (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

MARRIED FILING JOINTLY $29,200 (65 or older/legally blind + $1550)

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD $21,900 (65 or older/legally blind + $1950)

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**