Why didn't my Itemized deductions transfer to California state return?

nderiv49

I am new to FreeTaxUsa. I have been using TaxAct for the last several years but this year they are too expensive. I did complete my Federal and California return using TaxAct before I discovered how expensive it is this year. So, I know what my refunds for Fed and State should be using TaxAct.

I have completed my federal return using FreeTaxUsa and itemized my deductions even though I know I would be using the Standard Deduction for Fed return. I want the itemized deductions to transfer to my California return. But, it seems like they did not transfer across.

Here's why I think it didn't occur. I didn't get any opportunity to enter the CA adjustments using FreeTaxUsa. Also, the California refund amount is about 50% of what TaxAct said I would be getting for California. It's not a little bit of money either. The California refund using FreeTaxUsa is low by over $1800 when compared to TaxAct.

How can I verify that my itemized deductions got transferred from my Fed return, OR, how to force them to transfer.

Help, and thanks

Ed

JMSSGV

Did you finish the California return? Look at Schedule CA; the adjustments for itemized deductions will be on Side 5. Are there any entries there?

Remember that you can't deduct state income or sales taxes on your California return. If you take out those deductions, does the standard deduction become more beneficial?