why cant turbotax get me the same refund as taxact? they found me 4000 instead of 927

[seanbernhardt40]

want my max refund, but turbotax aint getting it for me

[xmasbaby0]

Then something you entered in one of the software programs was wildly different.   The tax software programs are checked very carefully by the IRS and cannot be released for use until the IRS approves.  So the same information entered correctly into any of those programs should give the same result.  A difference of nearly $3K means a big difference in what you entered  or where you entered information.   Of course it is always tempting to believe the one with the bigger refund is the "right" one----but we cannot tell.  You would need to print them both out and compare them side by side to see what is different.

[DoninGA]

Only way to figure that out is to compare both tax returns side by side and see the differences.

What you entered in one program has to be exactly the same in the other program and in exactly the same sections.  Along with any other credits or deductions have to be the same.

[seanbernhardt40]

I typed in the exact same information into both websites I have my TaxACT return next to the TurboTax return, all the information is the same, you can say that's not possible all you want but I have proof, I can post a picture of the TurboTax return and I can post a picture of the TaxACT return they are identical except for the return amount

[xmasbaby0]

It would be pretty interesting to see those two returns and compare them line by line -- and see that the lines are identical and yet have a different amount for the refund.   But if you post images here please black out any personal information.  This is a public web site---do not post anything that shows your name, SSN, etc.

[xmasbaby0]

That explains nothing.   We would have to see the Form 1040's side by side to see the amounts on the lines of the 1040's.

[seanbernhardt40]

Corporate shill, do you often meet people that are stupid enough to post their government forms online, look the numbers are typed in the exact same, you might have time to sit and argue with people on message boards but I don't I was just looking for some help, which you obviously weren't able to provide, and remember don't have a good day have a great day

[VolvoGirl]

Where do you see the 927?  That shows 1299 refund.   What’s on the actual 1040 line 35a?

Before filing,  You can preview the 1040 or print the whole return

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-preview-my-turbotax-online-return-before-f...

[xmasbaby0]

You asked how there could be a huge difference between the results of using TurboTax and Tax Act.  You received an explanation.   The only way to tell if everything was entered exactly the same into both programs is to look at the Form 1040's.  You do not have to post those  here.  But look at them yourself----side by side, line by line.   There will be something different.   You are free to use any software you want to use, and file accordingly.  

[VolvoGirl]

TaxAct shows $3,902 in refundable credits.  Turbo Tax only shows 1,972.  2,000 could be a dependent credit.  Then you removed your screenshots.  There are other differences on them.  But it looks like you got more credits on TaxAct.  Probably the way you entered dependents.

Some things to check.

Even if you entered the same amounts there are a lot of other things that you might have answered differently.  Like your filing status, birthdate, dependents,  if you answered a dependent question wrong you might not be getting the same credits for them.  You might have qualified for Head of Household on one return but not on the other. Or if you are a dependent you might have missed checking the box that says you can be claimed on someone else’s return.

A common difference is not entering qualified dividends and capital gains from 1099 DIV box 1b and 2a.   

Did you have any 1099R forms for a RMD, Required Minimum Distribution?  Turbo Tax  has a problem with those this year.