I am receiving the following: "You had traditional excess contributions of $7,000." Not sure why. I am trying to contribute $7000 to my Traditional. Ideas what causes?

[jherrmann1]

Where might Turbo be picking up something? I have not contributed anything to an IRA (Roth or otherwise), my wife has not. This should be easy...what's going on?

[Vanessa A]

Did you enter earned income first?  

If not, then you would not be able to take the deduction as you cannot contribute more than your EARNED income. To fix this, simply go back and enter your earned income before working on the deductions. If your income is pension income or other non-earned income, you would not be able to contribute.  

Did you have ANY contribution through work at all or are you covered by a retirement plan at work?  

If so, and box 13 (retirement plan) is checked then TurboTax would apply the lower income limitation to you.

If you have an amount in box 12 that is due to retirement contributions, that amount is included in your contribution limits.  Your deduction would then be limited to the amount

Are you over the MAGI limit for the deduction?

If you are NOT covered by a plan at work and your MAGI is more than $236,000 as Married Filing Jointly, you would not be able to take the full deduction.  The deduction phases out at $236,000 and ends completely at $246,000.

If you are covered by a plan at work, then the phaseout begins at $126,000 and is completely eliminated at $146,000.

[jherrmann1]

I figured it out....and IMO Turbo needs to flag this and provide feedback.  Apparently in order to contribute to an IRA, you need to make income....not interest or dividends, but income.   So, because I didn't earn anything I cannot contribute.