All Posts

It depends- If you have no state tax, you should leave Box 15 (state) blank, There's nothing you need to report in boxes 15 through 17, so make sure there are no zeros.  Boxes 15-17 should all be left empty. Even if Box 16 has a value, since there is no state tax in Box 17, leave them all blank.

This will be entered in the Rental section of TurboTax.  To navigate here, go to Federal > Wages & Income > Wages & Income Summary > Rental Properties and Royalties (Sch E).     When you add income to your rental, you'll select the type of income you received- Form 1099-MISC (normally from property managers) is an option.  

Thanks for the clarification, but I don't think the amortization should be added to the section total where the Real Estate expenses are manually added.  If it is going to be added to the total, it should be shown so data entry can be transparently checked.  It is fine for it to show up on Form 8825 as this pulls data from many sources, but again it should be a separate line item so numbers can be confirmed. 

It depends on why you received the stipend.    If you performed specific duties like teaching or research for an organization, you should select Self-employment income, which will generate a Schedule C and apply the 15.3% self-employment tax.    If the stipend was a fellowship or scholarship for your own independent studies and no work was required, you can select Hobby that it is reported as taxable income without the additional self-employment tax burden.   If  the above isn't applicable to your situation, you can refer to Earning side income: Is it a hobby or a business? to see 9 things you must consider when determining if the activity is a business (if it doesn't meet any of these points, it is a hobby): "Whether the activity is carried out in a businesslike manner and the taxpayer maintains complete and accurate books and records. Whether the time and effort the taxpayer puts into the activity show they intend to make it profitable. Whether they depend on income from the activity for their livelihood. Whether any losses are due to circumstances beyond the taxpayer's control or are normal for the startup phase of their type of business. Whether they change methods of operation to improve profitability. Whether the taxpayer and their advisors have the knowledge needed to carry out the activity as a successful business. Whether the taxpayer was successful in making a profit in similar activities in the past. Whether the activity makes a profit in some years and how much profit it makes. Whether the taxpayers can expect to make a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity."

Thank you for putting the time into reviewing all of that information.  I do appreciate it.  There does still seem to be either some confusion about the Form 4562 and CA Form 3885A, or the file the TurboTax is providing me is different than what you are able to see.  There are no issues with any of the other aspects of the return that you described--on the same page there.   First, while I do see the unofficial worksheets titled Form 4562 and CA Form 3885A for both properties with all of the appropriate depreciation calculations for both properties to support the data that should be entered on the federal Form 4562 and CA Form 3885A, there is only a single Form 4562 and CA Form 3885A for one property (Property A on the Schedule E).  None of the depreciation data for the second property (Property B on the Schedule E) is included on that single Form 4562 or CA Form 3885A.  Note that the identical Federal Form 4562 for Property A is included a second time in the file presumably because CA requires that form to be filed to support the CA Form 3885A data.  That second instance of the Form 4562 also has the address associated with Property A and also does not include the data for Property B.   This detail can be seen by comparing it to the unofficial Form 4562 worksheet provided by TurboTax as part of the larger printable file.   Secondly, you note in your response "Since you did not have any new assets placed on depreciation in 2025, this form [Form 4562] is not actually required to be filed with the tax return."  That statement is not consistent with the instructions for the 2025 Form 4562.  These instructions say:   "Who Must File   Except as otherwise noted, complete and file Form 4562 if you are claiming any of the following. ... Depreciation on any vehicle or other listed property (regardless of when it was placed in service)." Because both properties had depreciations deducted in 2025, Form 4562 is required even though none of those assets were placed into service in 2025.   Prior to filing through TurboTax, am I able to make the necessary changes to the file? I would need to add a Form 4562 for Property B to both the federal return and CA return and add a CA Form 3885A for Property B to the CA return.  Is that a change I'm able to manually make in the TurboTax Online interface prior to officially submitting my returns?   Alternatively, is the please somebody at TurboTax who can make these last minor necessary changes to my returns so that I can please file ASAP?  Thank you! @DianeW777   

The Enhanced Deduction for Seniors is automatically included in your tax return when you complete the personal information section of TurboTax and enter your date of birth and filing status.    The $6,000 Enhanced Deduction for Seniors is reported on IRS Schedule 1-A Part V lines 31 through 37.  The total of IRS Schedule 1-A may be found on line 13b of the IRS form 1040.    In TurboTax Online, you may view the IRS form 1040 by selecting Tax Tools, then Tools, then View Tax Summary down the left side of the screen.  In TurboTax Desktop, select FORMS in the upper right hand corner of the screen.   There are other qualifications.  See here.   Deduction for Seniors New deduction: Effective for 2025 through 2028, individuals who are age 65 and older may claim an additional deduction of $6,000. This new deduction is in addition to the current additional standard deduction for seniors under existing law. The $6,000 senior deduction is per eligible individual (i.e., $12,000 total for a married couple where both spouses qualify). Deduction phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers). Qualifying taxpayers: To qualify for the additional deduction, a taxpayer must attain age 65 on or before the last day of the taxable year. Taxpayer eligibility: Deduction is available for both itemizing and non-itemizing taxpayers. Taxpayers must: include the Social Security Number of the qualifying individual(s) on the return, and file jointly if married, to claim the deduction.

It is automatic based on your age. It is not part of your Standard Deduction. The new Senior Deduction is separate and in addition to the Standard Deduction or your Itemized Deductions on 1040 line 12e. The 6,000/12,000 senior deduction will be calculated on 1040 Schedule 1-A page 2 Part V Enhanced Deduction for Seniors which goes to 1040 line 13b with any other sch 1-A amounts. Turbo Tax automatically includes it if you qualify. If you are married you have to file a Joint return. 
For Online version You can preview the 1040 or print the whole return https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-preview-my-turbotax-online-return-before-filing/00/26160 What do you have on 1040 or 1040SR line 13b? See the 1040 …. ,

Yes you can enter Social Security SSA-1099 in the Free Edition.  What problem are you having?  After you enter it watch out for the Foreign country question.  It asks if you lived in a foreign country.  Answer NO.  People are answering the wrong way or skipping it.  And it asks for each spouse.