Turbo Tax Mistake

[andrewblaho]

I submitted my 2025 Federal return only to have the Fed find that Turbo Tax showed NO taxes due on our Social Security benefits.  Note that our total benefits were properly entered and listed on line 6a but line 6b showed 0 taxes due.  Yesterday I found out that the IRS, of course, caught the mistake and my hopes of a substantial return were dashed.  I still got a couple of hundred bucks back so there were no penalties but I am very disappointed that Turbo Tax made such a basic mistake.  I'll probably have a penalty for filing a late 1st quarter estimated tax because with the substantial refund that Turbo Tax showed that I had coming they estimated that I would not have to pay any estimated taxes.  Just wanted to get this off my chest.

[DoninGA]

After you entered the SSA-1099 there was a following screen asking you if you lived in any of the foreign countries listed.  If you answered Yes then SS benefits were not taxed.  You should have answered NO if you did not live in any of the countries listed so the SS benefits could be taxed, if required.

[andrewblaho]

Thank you!  You are right it wasn’t a Turbo Tax mistake at all, it was mine. It would have been nice, however, if the program had a bit of built in intelligence and alerted me of my error. It would have been possible as on my state return (maybe the fed return also?) I indicated that I lived in the state all 52 weeks.  Thanks again. P.S.  Even though the IRS found and corrected my mistake, should I file a corrected return?  I will file one with Minnesota today but can that be done using Turbo Tax independently of the federal return?  

[DoninGA]

@andrewblaho Since the IRS has corrected your tax return there is no need to complete or file an amended federal tax return.

Minnesota does not tax Social Security benefits so there is no need to file a state amended tax return.

[andrewblaho]

Thank you but, unfortunately, MN does tax social security benfits albeit on a sliding scale but in my particular case the tax implications are significant.  MN already refunded me all the money claimed on my initial (incorrect) return so now I have to pay that back plus a few dollars more.  When I took a preliminary look at filing an amended return thru Turbo Tax I did not see a way to file the amended form just to the state. So, unless I am looking at it incorrectly, the amended form will go to both the Fed and MN.  To avoid further confusion, I would like the amendment to go just to MN but that might not be possible and it might not even the best way to proceed. If you can give me any guidance I would very much appreciate it.  Thank you again.  Andy

[JotikaT2]

You can just file an amended state return without amending your federal return if a federal amendment is not needed.

Please see how do I amend my state tax return for more guidance to assist you.

@andrewblaho