How can I figure out if I used standard deduction or itemized deductions on my 2020 1040? TurboTax instructions seem wrong

Thanks, that's helpful but I'm still confused. My line 12 shows $24,800 and I was married filing jointly in 2020. Does that definitely mean I took the standard deduction? I can't find Schedule A in my paperwork but not sure if I just lost it or never had it.

Yes, if line 12 shows exactly $24,800 and you were married filing jointly in 2020, that confirms you took the standard deduction. That's precisely the standard deduction amount for married filing jointly that year. If you had itemized, the amount would be different and would reflect the total of your itemized deductions from Schedule A. Since you can't find Schedule A in your paperwork and the amount matches the standard deduction exactly, you definitely took the standard deduction for 2020.

That sounds pretty useful. Does it work for returns from several years back? I have tax returns going back to 2017 that I need to make sense of. Also, is it secure? I'm always nervous about uploading tax docs online.

I've heard of sites like this but they usually just do the same thing I could do manually. Does it actually tell you anything that's not already on the forms? Like what specific value did it provide beyond just pointing to line 12?

Yes, it works for returns going back several years - I used it for returns from 2018-2021 without any issues. Their site uses bank-level encryption for uploads and they don't store your documents after analysis, so it's designed with security in mind. It definitely provides more value than just manual checking. Beyond simply identifying the deduction method, it extracts all key figures lenders typically request, flags potential audit triggers, and even highlights opportunities you might have missed. For example, it spotted that I had enough qualifying expenses to have itemized in 2019 but took the standard deduction instead, which was helpful information for future planning.

How does this actually work? Is it just connecting you to the regular IRS number or do they have some special access? The IRS phone system is the worst, I literally tried calling 8 times last month.

Sorry, but this sounds too good to be true. I find it hard to believe any service could magically get through to the IRS when their phone lines are perpetually jammed. I've tried calling at all hours and still wait forever. What's the catch here? Do they charge a fortune for this "service"?

It uses a system that navigates the IRS phone tree automatically and waits in the queue for you. Then it calls you once it reaches a representative. No special access - it's just automated dialing technology that keeps trying until it gets through, so you don't have to stay on the phone yourself. The IRS phone system is definitely brutal. I tried calling first thing in the morning, late afternoon, even tried the "trick" of calling their Spanish line and then asking for English service. Nothing worked until I used this service. They don't charge anything until you actually get connected, which I appreciated because I was skeptical too.

Oh that's actually really clever! I never thought about checking file size. Does this work even if you e-filed though? I don't think I printed out all the forms but maybe the PDF would still be different sizes?

Yes, it works even if you e-filed! The PDF you get from your tax software after filing (usually called something like "2020_Tax_Return.pdf") will include all forms that were submitted with your return, even if you never printed them out. The file size difference comes from all the additional schedules and worksheets that get generated when you itemize. Besides Schedule A itself, there are often supporting documents for medical expenses, property taxes, mortgage interest, charitable contributions, etc. So the PDF generally ends up noticeably larger than years when you took the standard deduction.

That's unusual but I think I know what happened. The "Schedule A" checkmark on line 8 probably means you filled out Schedule A to compare your itemized deductions against the standard deduction. But since line 12 shows exactly $24,800 (the standard deduction amount for married filing jointly), you ultimately took the standard deduction because it was higher than your itemized amount would have been. TurboTax and other software often complete Schedule A as part of the process even if you end up taking the standard deduction, just to determine which gives you the better outcome.