It might be a suggestion to have the above the line be an automatic calculation the same way the program chooses between the standard deduction and itemized.
It could look to see if the t/p has the ability to itemize and if not are amounts entered into donoations
This is absurd that for the price of the Lacerte software, it doesn't automatically deduct the charitable contribution when non-itemizing. This new deduction has been on the books since last spring sometime, plenty of time for programmers to get this in the software.
I was flabbergast when I discovered this did not happen automatically. Guess it must have been a programming decision as what we are asking would required a bit more programming.
We shouldn't have to remember to check or uncheck the box when the facts of the return change. This could be easily overlooked and someone could take the standard deduction when in fact they could be itemizing.
My fault that I didn't triple check to make sure an "above the line"deduction wasn't being made automatically with the Lacerte software. I have a bunch of returns that now need to be amended. I too was under the impression the software was doing what it was supposed to do. The "new" forms are hard enough to follow without a simple deduction not going where it should automatically. Please FIX this issue ASAP. We shouldn't have to duplicate data entry.
I would like to hear from preparers in 43 states whether this would cause a problem for them. If the federal tax is already zero, what's the point in reducing AGI by another $300 (and $600 next year, and who knows how much in the future)? If it takes it off Schedule A, does that increase the amount of state tax owed? Sometimes, programmers actually know what they are doing because they have to deal with everyone, not just Texans. (For example. Not accusing anyone here of being a Texan.)
