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question everything

(49,002 posts)
17. Glitches in the system that no "specialist" could resolve. And I have used them for 20 years!
Thu Feb 11, 2021, 12:59 PM
Feb 2021

First, my mistake. In previous years one could not print the return until one paid. Which made sense.

So I went ahead and paid which means I cannot restart.

But here are the points:

It started with Form 8606, I could not find it. A specialist told me that this year one had to download and mail it separately... What nonsense. I finally found it.

Next. I downloaded 1099 from my broker which included, in addition to Interest and Dividend and Capital Loss also.. carryover losses. From where? I did not have any. My broker insisted that it did not come from them. A specialist suggested to go to the Tools and delete this carryover loss form. Did not do anything. So I went out, tried again and the third time was the charm - it was not there. Still not clear where it came from.

Next, the 300 loop. The special charity adjustment of $300 can be used only with standard deductions. But with our medical expenses - specifically long term care insurance - it was concluded that we should itemize deductions. So far so good.

But then I was in a loop. "need to take care of one thing" - the screen had the image of that 1040 with Line 10b: enter a value, I was directed. So I entered 300, and.. back in the loop: this box has to be blank. So I deleted it and again, enter a value, no, it has to be blank. Back and forth. I think that I spent more than an hour with two different specialists who could not understand it. Yes, I gave them permission to look at my screen. I finally decided to switch to a standard deduction and - problem solved.

Then the state refund all of a sudden was doubled. I tried to edit it, would not accept it. Finally I just deleted and reentered. Again, the specialist was no help.

And last - really last straw. Specialists cannot view all supporting documents. In this case the Social Security Benefits Worksheet. And I noticed that the taxable benefits were lower than what should have been. Yes, I use Excel Spreadsheet. I found those infamous $300 on Line 6 coming from... Schedule 1 Line 22. Except, Schedule 1 Line 22 is blank! There are no entries in the Part II Adjustments to Income. Where did they get it? I tried to reenter the Social Security benefits, nothing.

And here came my second big mistake: Since I found out that one can delete a from - Carryover Losses - I decided to delete this Worksheet Form and now I was done. Cannot undo it, cannot start again.

I talked with many specialists and in all the cases I resolved the problems with them looking over.

It does not seem that anyone can resolve the issue of starting again after paying. And once a form is deleted, it cannot be undone. So, yes, will forfeit the payment and try someplace else. Yes, my mistakes but still there were so many problems.

Funny, I printed the various returns with all each change. One 1040 has a Standard Deduction but no 300 adjustment. The other has both Itemized Deductions and the 300 adjustment.

Perhaps I was too smart for my own good but when I could not get rid of the carryover loss... and then the 300 loop, everything just went downhill from then.

Thanks for listening.





Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I used tax slayer last year and will again Wawannabe Feb 2021 #1
Thanks, may give them a try question everything Feb 2021 #3
I Have Used H&R Block Online But Much Prefer TurboTax Home and Business Edition Indykatie Feb 2021 #2
Go to IRS.gov snowybirdie Feb 2021 #4
Thanks. But then I still have to do my state which requires a copy of the question everything Feb 2021 #6
I believe you can snowybirdie Feb 2021 #13
I NEVER file taxes on line Crazyleftie Feb 2021 #5
I am beginning to suspect this, too question everything Feb 2021 #7
I do. bearsfootball516 Feb 2021 #8
Thanks. Looks promising question everything Feb 2021 #9
I use TaxAct too, JenniferJuniper Feb 2021 #10
At this point cost is not the point for me. TT has had so many problems question everything Feb 2021 #12
I use TurboTax and get the CD. Nothing on line... My returns are simple and it's like talking mitch96 Feb 2021 #11
I've used Tax Act for years. Never had any COLGATE4 Feb 2021 #14
I use ClickTaxPro RoadRunner Feb 2021 #15
What does TurboTax say about all this? progree Feb 2021 #16
Glitches in the system that no "specialist" could resolve. And I have used them for 20 years! question everything Feb 2021 #17
Thanks much for the detail, very much appreciated progree Feb 2021 #18
Carryover losses - your broker was right, it didn't come from them progree Feb 2021 #19
I did not have carryover losses since the early 2000 after the dot.com collapse question everything Feb 2021 #20
I actually use an accountant. PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2021 #21
I still file paper returns bucolic_frolic Feb 2021 #22
Yes, they keep changing question everything Feb 2021 #23
The line 3b I was referring to is from the Tax Loss Carryover Worksheet, line 4. bucolic_frolic Feb 2021 #24
Did you recevie the recent letter from the IRS? Mine is dated Feb 17 question everything Feb 2021 #25
No haven't received that notice bucolic_frolic Feb 2021 #26
Might be worth contacting your member of Congress question everything Feb 2021 #27
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Personal Finance and Investing»Besides TurboTax, who els...»Reply #17