Subsistence allowance for municipal employees in SC

[AnnetteB · Accepted solution]

The subsistence allowance is found in the Income section of the SC return.  If you have already completed your SC return, Edit it and follow these steps:

• Click Edit beside the Income section
• This opens a page titled “Here’s the income that South Carolina handles differently”
• Scroll down that page to Public Service > Subsistence Allowance
• Click Start (or Revisit), enter the number of days, then click Continue

[Lingababe]

There is nothing when you scroll down about public service. Where do I enter the number of days or amount?

[Laxsis17]

I put 0 because I thought you had to put something but now the $0 won't go away on the side of the "revisit". It is preventing me from filing, how do I get it to go away? 

[DawnC]

Can you clarify where you are in TurboTax, trying to delete the 0?   And are you using the desktop software?   This is an old thread; if you want to start a new one, use this link.   @Laxsis17

[Lingababe]

This thread may be old, but it is difficult to navigate finding where to put this deduction. I have always used the website. Directions on where to put the Police subsistence pay for both desktop and web page users may be helpful. There isn't much in reference to this when you search both TT or the internet, so this thread will continue to show up. A new thread will not be helpful.

[Lingababe]

To clarify, I am on the page that says "Here's the income SC handles differently". There is NOT a place that says Public Service. I am using Premier on the TT website if that makes a difference. I have not taken this credit for 3 years because I can't find where to enter it.

[MaryK4]

Do you see what is in the screen shot below? @Lingababe

Subsistence allowances of $8.00 per regular workday are allowed for police and all commissioned law enforcement officers who are paid by South Carolina municipal, county, or state governments or the federal government, and full-time firefighters and emergency medical service personnel.

Your employer should provide you with the number of workdays you are entitled to use for this deduction.

[Lingababe]

I am aware of what and how much the police subsistence allowance is.  Your screenshot is different than what comes up on my screen. I'm going to guess that what you are showing is for residents of SC. My LEO works in SC, pays SC tax, but we live in a different state and file in both states.

[AnnetteB6]

Yes, the screenshot shown above corresponds to a South Carolina resident return. 

Non-resident returns do not have a corresponding specific input for the subsistence allowance.  Instead, you can enter it in the Other Subtractions section on the 'Here's the income that SC handles differently' page.  

Click Start or Update beside Other Subtractions.  Enter 'subsistence allowance' for the description and enter your number of days multiplied by $8 as the amount.  Be sure to keep your documentation just in case the deduction is questioned.

You mentioned that you have not claimed this deduction in previous years.  You can still amend those returns if you wish, up to three years from the due date of the return.

@Lingababe