Part of the problem is that TT has Q&A topics that refer to DOT hours of service in the Federal Employment Expenses > Job-Related Expenses topic. As of tax year 2018 the DOT 80% option was removed from Federal form 2106.
If you answer the Q&A by checking yes on the DOT/Transportation Industry questions and only filling in amounts pertaining to DOT meal reimbursements, then the program will present you with multiple errors during the review.
You have to fill in the Federal 2106 in order to get more deductions for your state itemized return. TT should fix this six-year-old problem. TT did not include any questions that would lead me to the Federal 2106 during the NY state Q&A. In fact, TT did not indicate that my NY state taxes would be itemized, I only found out upon review of the finished forms. But TT is very good about trying to sell me upgrades, live tax advice and audit defense, no thanks.
My solution was to duplicate entries for Meal Expenses DOT & Other meals and entertainment, as well as duplicating entries for Reimbursements DOT & Reimbursements Other meals and entertainment. The software indicated that it was applying an 80% factor to my meals expense for the state return.
