Guess this user needs to go check with the Ohio SERS Retirement Fund people.
Federal does have a "Retirement Savings Contribution Credit" (RSCC) , that does have a credit for lower income people who voluntarily contribute to an IRA, or 401k or a few other retirement fund types even if they are pre-tax contributions. But I do know that "required" contributions to some state-run accounts do not qualify for this since the employee contributions are mandatory....and the IRS specifically disallows those for eligibility to the RSCC . The tax software will automatically include any contributions for the RSCC ..IF ...IF they are noted in box 12 of a taxpayer's W-2 form with the appropriate code letter(s), and the user doesn't have to do anything else....other than visit the RSCC line on the Deductions&Credits page...but you don't double-enter $$ that were automatically transferred from box 12 of the W-2.
https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-savings-contributions-save...
____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*
