Why does changing the Business Description change the refund amount?

[KeithMcCreery]

Why does changing the Business Description change the refund amount?

If I type in the following, my refund for federal and state change significantly. Why? What is triggered by the Business Description?

Refund amounts are examples only.

agriculture / Federal $1711 / State $337

Agriculture / Federal $1271 / State $252

farming / Federal $1271 / State $252

Farming / Federal $1271 / State $252

Lower case letter is creating a bigger refund.

[KarenM90]

Can you get me a diagnostic file so I can look at it?  (Diagnostic files remove all sensitive information such as social security numbers, etc)  

If you are using a Desktop Version of TurboTax, go to Online (in the black bar across the top of your TurboTax Screen, above the blue bar) and choose Send Tax File to Agent.  We will need the number that it generates.

If you are using the Online Version of TurboTax, go to Tax Tools/Tools (in the black bar on the left) and Share My File with My Agent.  We will need to number it generates.

[KeithMcCreery]

Sorry, I don't see an 'online' option. There is no black bar or blue bar. 

[KarenM90]

Does the top of your TurboTax look like this?

[KeithMcCreery]

No.

I'm on a Mac.

[KarenM90]

@KeithMcCreery - Can you check the "Help" option for Sending a Diagnostic Copy to an Agent?

[KeithMcCreery]

The token is 

601706

[KeithMcCreery]

2 things.

First, the sanitized file does NOT reproduce the issue. I just loaded it, and it doesn't reproduce the issue.

Second, looking at the sanitized data, it leaves TOO MUCH data unchanged. There is enough PII to identify my family and me. There is no option to view the data before it is sent. Only after sending, does the sanitized data file get saved to my computer.

I am not happy with both issues.

I believe, if I take the Audit Defense insurance, Intuit will be on the hook for this issue. I believe I have done my due diligence by reporting this issue.

When you are done looking at this issue, please inform me when and how you deleted my 'not so' sanitized data file.

[KrisD15]

First, I want to assure you that we take Identity Protection VERY seriously. 

I cannot vouch for what your copy shows, but what we receive has NO NAMES, NO STREET ADDRESS (State only) and NO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS. This information is blocked out on the tax returns and ALL tax documents.

If you are still able to see your personal information on your copy, I can completely understand why you would be concerned. What is transmitted and what we see only saves the numbers reported on the lines of the 1040, nothing more. We hate to think that you would be worried about something like that happening. Please rest easy with that issue. 

You say your refund changes when you change the business description. 

The file I looked at even XXXXX out the business description, so I was not able to recreate your situation. Once I was done viewing, the file was deleted. 

I have included a link to contact a TurboTax agent that can look into this further with you. 

I would also suggest you compare the copy of your Schedule C before the change to the Schedule C after to see what number is changing. That would be interesting to know since the business type has no bearing on the tax. Perhaps it was just a matter of a "click" or "keystroke" that allowed the program to finish a calculation that was not yet complete. 

We understand your concern and suggest contacting customer service.  

Contact TurboTax Customer Service

[Gotham]

I am seeing the same issue where changing the Business Description is changing the refund amount on Turbotax desktop 2017.  

Based on what the other customer is reporting, doesnt look like its an isolated issue. Can you guys check and tell why this is happening ?

[CatinaT1]

Do you have start up expenses entered?  If you change your business description, your start up expenses are removed.  You will need to reenter them.