Retirement tax questions

That $200 check was likely the NYS Inflation Refund (also called the Supplemental Tax Credit) sent out in late 2025. The IRS and NYS have specific rules for these "one-time" checks:

1. The $200 is NOT taxable by New York State. You do not owe NYS any tax on this money.
2. On the federal level,  if you took the Standard Deduction in 2024:  The $200 is NOT taxable. You can likely skip the amendment entirely. Most taxpayers fall into this category.
3. If you Itemized Deductions (Schedule A) in 2023: It is taxable federally because you received a "tax benefit" from deducting your state taxes previously.

You will need to file an amended return only if you met the third condition mentioned. if this is the case, report this as other income.

1. Go to Federal > Wages & Income.
2. Find State and Local Tax Refunds (1099-G).
3. Enter the $200. When it asks for the Tax Year, select 2023 (since the check was based on your 2023 eligibility).
4. When TurboTax asks, "Does either apply to your 2023 New York return?"—select NO.

Choosing "No" might seem unusual, but it lets the software know this is a "Special Payment," not a regular refund. This way, it’s included in your Federal Income and automatically subtracted on your New York state return.

If you have already filed and realized you definitely need to report this (as an itemizer):

1. Wait until your original return is fully processed and you have received your refund (or paid your balance).
2. Open your tax file in TurboTax and select "Amend a filed return."
3. Follow the steps above to add the 1099-G.
4. The software will generate Form 1040-X.

If working in the desktop version, 

1. Go to federal>other tax situations
2. Other tax forms
3. Amend a return