turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

First Time Making Estimated Payments

Spouse and I both have W-2s. This year I also have self-employment income. I need to make estimated payment for the first time. How do I calculate that? I believe I have to go through "other tax situations" in TurboTax, but where do I find it? Exact steps would be helpful. Thanks!

Connect with an expert
x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

8 Replies

First Time Making Estimated Payments

First Time Making Estimated Payments

There seems to be a step missing. How do I open my tax return if it's already been filed?

First Time Making Estimated Payments


@jmoTT wrote:

There seems to be a step missing. How do I open my tax return if it's already been filed?


If you are using the TurboTax online editions -

To access your current year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the userID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

 

When you sign onto your online account and land on the Tax Home web page, scroll down and click on Add a state. 

This will take you back to the 2019 online tax return.

 

 

First Time Making Estimated Payments

Ok, but then what? I'm not adding a new state, and I'm not amending my 2019 tax return. How do I get to the point where I can calculate estimated payments for 2020? For a company called Intuit, this is not intuitive.

First Time Making Estimated Payments

Click on Add a State to let you back into your return. It won't really add a state.  It just lets you back in.

First Time Making Estimated Payments


@jmoTT wrote:

Ok, but then what? I'm not adding a new state, and I'm not amending my 2019 tax return. How do I get to the point where I can calculate estimated payments for 2020? For a company called Intuit, this is not intuitive.


Using the Add a State procedure will only take you back to the 2019 tax return.  You are not adding a state or amending the tax return.

You only need to click on Other Tax Situations section on the top of the screen, scroll down to Other Tax Forms and click on start button for Form W-4 and Estimated Taxes

 

  1. Answer No to the question Do you want to change your W-4 withholdings for 2020?
  2. Answer the questions about things like your 2020 filing status, income, and deductions.
  3. Eventually, you'll come to the Print Vouchers? screen. Answer Yes and we'll include your 2020 1040-ES payment vouchers when you print a copy of your return later.

First Time Making Estimated Payments

To prepare estimates for next year you start with your current return, but be careful not to change anything.  If you can't get back into your return, Click on Add a State to let you back into your retun.

 

You can just type W4 in the search box at the top of your return , click on Find. Then Click on Jump To and it will take you to the estimated tax payments section. Say no to changing your W-4 and the next screen will start the estimated taxes section.

 

Or Go to….

Federal Taxes or Personal (Deskop H&B)

Other Tax Situations

Other Tax Forms

Form W-4 and Estimated Taxes - Click the Start or Update button

 

See,

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-payments/help/can-turbotax-calculate-next-year-s-federal-estim...

 

Here are the blank Estimates and instructions…..

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040es.pdf

 

The 1040ES quarterly estimates are due April 15, 2020, June 15, Sept 15 and Jan 15, 2021.   Your state will also have their own estimate forms.

 

Or you can pay directly on the IRS website https://www.irs.gov/payments

Be sure to pick the right kind of payment and year.....2020 Estimate

 

 

First Time Making Estimated Payments

@jmoTT 

 

Going forward may I highly suggest you use the Deluxe Downloaded version so you have access to the program year round and can do test/what if returns at will ... if you don't need a state return you can even use the Basic version and save a few more $$$.   

 

If you use the Online version you will need to use the Self employed option which is the most expensive program.

 

 

 

 

This is my mini version of  a tutorial  that should be in the downloaded program: 

 

 

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

                  

Related Information:

                             

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

  • >>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy
  • 1.  Open your return in TurboTax. 
  • 2.  From the File menu, choose Save As. 
  • 3.  Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name). 
  • 4. Click  Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original. 
  •  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

 

  • >>  use the WHAT IF tool: 
  • - Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view) 
  • - Click on the Open Form Icon 
  • - In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form 
  • - You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form 
  • - To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

 

 

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

  1. From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
  2. Browse to where you want to save your backup.
    • Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
  3. In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
  4. Click Save and then close TurboTax.
  5. Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:                             

 

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

AND protect the files :

 

 

 

 

 

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question
Manage cookies