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Yes, there’s a better way than overriding. The “more than 85%” error usually appears when the lump-sum Social Security entry isn’t reported correctly through the lump-sum calculation interview or when a prior-year amount is placed on the wrong line. Use the built-in lump-sum method flow and remove any overrides so TurboTax can compute the taxable portion correctly.

1. Remove overrides Open the return, go to the Social Security worksheet and clear any manual overrides you made.
2. Use the lump-sum interview:
   • Federal > Wages & Income > Retirement Plans and Social Security.
   • Edit Social Security (SSA-1099).
   • When asked if your Form SSA-1099 includes a lump-sum payment for prior years, select Yes.
   • Enter the 2025 total from Box 5, then the prior-year amounts as shown on the SSA-1099 (e.g., 2024 portion). Do not net or reallocate, enter exactly as shown.
3. Prior-year info:
   • When prompted, enter your filing status and key income items for the prior year (2024) so the lump-sum method can test whether taxing it as if received in the prior year(s) lowers your tax.
4. Check for common causes of the error:
   • Only Box 5 belongs in Social Security benefits.
   • Don’t enter the prior-year portion as a separate SSA-1099; it goes in the lump-sum section.
   • If you have tax-exempt interest, foreign earned income exclusion, or large IRA/retirement income, make sure those are entered correctly; they affect the 85% cap.

If the Error Persists in "Forms Mode" (Desktop Users)

If you are using the CD/Download version:

• Switch to Forms Mode (top right). 
• Find the Lump-Sum Social Security Worksheet. 
• Look at Line B and Line 19. The software is likely miscalculating the "ceiling" for the 85% rule. 
• Rather than overriding the final 1040, ensure the 2024 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and Tax-Exempt Interest from your 2024 return (If you had any)  are entered correctly in the worksheet. This usually "unlocks" the math.