Incorrect estimated taxes in previous year carrying over to current year - how to correct

[msgrinnell]

I was going to go into detail on this issue but will start with the basics and add as necessary.  

In 2019 for some reason when I filed my prior year tax credit ($2629 from 2018) got counted twice so instead of my estimated taxes being $5364 they were $7993 on line 8 of Schedule 3 of 1040-SR.   IRS caught this and sent me notice that my refund I wanted to credit to 2020 was reduced from $3093 to $464 -- in IRS systems, that is.   I did not amend my 2019 return in Turbo tax which was why I imagine this error carried over to 2020.   IRS sent me similar letter in 2020 saying I had underpaid my taxes which was true because Turbotax overstated the size of my refund from 2019 (3093 instead of 464) which I had not told Turbotax about because I did not amend the 2019 return.   I just paid the tax and did not amend my 2020 return.   I don't want to make the same mistake for 2021.   What is the best way to clean this up?  

[ZoltanB45]

Go to ....

1. Deductions and credit..
2. Estimates and other taxes paid
3. Income tax paid
4. 2020 Refund applied to 2021
5. enter the correct refund amount from the 2020 return

[msgrinnell]

Thanks for the quick reply.  Ultimately, the refund amount from 2020 applied to 2021 was negative because I had to make a payment in July 2021 for balance due owed from 2020.   Would the correct way to deal with this be to enter the payment I need in the field "Balance due on your 2020 state taxes paid in 2021" since amount of refund from 2020 to 2021 was ultimately zero?

[VolvoGirl]

If this is for a federal return do not enter anything in a State box.  No, just enter 0 in the refund applied to 2021.    A tax due or paid for prior years does not go on a 2021 return.