Why does TT suggest taking itemized deduction of $12K when I thought standard deduction is $24K (married, joint).

OK I still haven't paid so I can't quite work out the detail, but I see my federal credits are higher if I take the itemized deduction by about $3,600.   Not sure what the higher credit is?  But that would explain it, since $3,600 in credit is like a $15K deduction at 24% bracket.  So it sort of makes sense with the credit factored in?  I just don't see which credits require me to itemize.  I'll try to sort it out after I file and report back.

OK I partially see at least.

Both are "correct" but there is some difference in the shadow wold of AMT.  I need to compare my 6251 forms closer.  But high level I have carry over AMT credits, and if I itemize I can some how take $5K of those, but if I take the standard deduction, I can only take $2K.  So yeah credit > deduction.  I need to re-read the details on my AMT carry over credit, but I think I'm better off long term taking the standard deduction, the itemized approach, gets me a $600 larger refund, but at the cost pf $3K of AMT carryover credit...

Fun stuff

Turbotax doesn't make this trade off clear, but I guess it's pretty out in the weeds.