IHSS Tax Exempt - Can't E-file with W2 having $0 in Box 1

A workaround for this is to enter $1.00 in Box 1 when making your W-2 entries. This should prevent the IRS from rejecting the e-file. You will be taxed on an extra dollar, but you are avoiding the cost of stamps and printing your return. 

Won't the IRS kick it back, due to it NOT matching what the W-2 says, if you enter $1.00 in the WAGES box to get it to take, but the wages actually show ZERO?  Last year when I used Turbo tax I was wondering how do to this also.  I ended up mailing it in, and due to COVID it took until JULY to get the refund.  Even though I mailed it on January 31st.  I just don't want it to get rejected, and then have to resubmit, and end up having to mail it anyway.  I'm trying to find out if someone has actually done that before.  With over 400 THOUSAND IHSS provider's in California, there must be someone who has done it this way, and can confirm...  😁😁😁

Hello, did you end up taking the experts advise and putting the $1.00 in the WAGES box, so you could E-file?  I'm in the same dilemma, but I want to make sure the IRS won't reject it because it doesn't actually match the W-2.  Because the W-2 shows ZERO in wages.  I just don't want it to get rejected, and then I have to end up sending it by mail anyway.  I'm trying to find someone who ACTUALLY E-filed their IHSS taxes doing the $1.00 wage thing, and was SUCCESSFUL with it.  Thanks...

I claimed my wages that they put on box 3 n was investigate by the irs because i claimed the stimulus i had already received n since they didn't hear from before the date on the letter they send my taxes to Audit department request proof of income cus it shows 0 on line 1 n 2 if it wasn't for that stimulus i would off been lucky but no mow waiting to see what they say by submitting my last check stub it instead n proof that i had always filed the same amount of wages

I'm trying to file my 2021 return, and I have the same question. What has worked for anyone in this situation? I'm trying to avoid having to mail in my return. I'm trying to make the 10/17/22 extended deadline, too.

I have $0 for wages because I'm a live-in provider. But Box 3-6 have numbers in them, and they're for Social Security & Medicare wages & tax withheld.

Can I use the $1 method? Can we offset the $1 elsewhere so it can successfully e-file? 

If:

• you don't have any dollar amounts on your W-2, 
• you qualify to exclude the income under IRS Notice 2014-7, and
• you don't expect to qualify for Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, then you don't need to enter the W-2 at all.

If your IHSS W-2 has a zero in Box 1, but you do have a  dollar amount in Box 3, Social Security Wages, then you can enter the W-2 following the instructions in the revised help article:

1. Sign in to TurboTax and open your return.
2. Select Search, enter w-2, and select Jump to w-2.
3. Enter all your W-2 info as shown on your form, except Box 1 (this is assuming that the W-2 Box 1 is blank or zero).
4. Enter the amount reported in box 3 of your W-2 in Box 1.
5. On the Let’s check for uncommon situations screen, select the box next to Nontaxable Medicaid waiver payments that qualify as difficulty of care payments.
6. Enter the amount of Medicaid waiver payments into the difficulty of care payment you received from IHHS box.
   • This is the same amount reported in boxes 3 and 5 of your W-2.
   • Your payments are nontaxable, but TurboTax uses this number to calculate credits you may qualify for.
7. When you get to the Earned Income Credit section in Deductions and Credits, we’ll ask if you want to add your Medicaid waiver payment to your income for this credit. You can answer based on what benefits you most.