I qualify for savers credit but it will not let me claim it because 1 w2 used code D (401k) and other w2 used no code. PERS of MS retirement plan at both jobs. What now?

[chanegan]

I had two jobs last year.  I made contributions to PERS of Mississippi retirement plan at both jobs.  One job provided a D code in box 12.  The other job did not provide a code.  It is the same retirement plan, and the same account it just moved with me to my new job.  It is a state government agency.  When I try to claim the savers credit it will not let me because the second job did not provide a code for box 12.  If I don't put a code in for the second job the software just does not give me the credit because I only contributed $380.48 at the job that provided a code because I only worked there for 2 or 3 months last year.  I contributed $2246.18 at the job that did not provide a code.  I have tried every web site that does taxes and I can't get past this.  The last time I did taxes I only had one w2 for the same job that provided the code of D and I was granted the credit although I am not sure if PERS is really a 401k. Please help me.  I can use turbo tax to file if they can help me with this.  The credit should be about $200.  I don't want to pay a big fee at one of those walk in places just to get the $200.

I appreciate your time.

[DanielV01]

Is the amount you mention reported in box 14 instead of box 12?

[DanielV01]

Yes, you can claim this in TurboTax if it is a qualifying contribution.  It requires a couple of manual entries, since the contribution amount is not listed in box 12 as you mention.  In the Federal Taxes section, click on Deductions and Credits at the top of the screen.  Then, you may click on the Retirement Contributions, and finally Saver's Credit buttons (shown in Screenshot 1).

Then, answer the questions on the next couple of screens.  You will encounter a screen that asks if you made any additional contributions to a qualified retirement plan.  You do want to make sure that the plan you contributed to is one that qualifies you for claiming the Saver's Credit.  However, if you did in fact make those contributions (and they may be listed in box 14; there are some retirement systems that report the contributions there instead), then you put the amount in this box, and the Saver's Credit will calculate (screenshot 2).  Please see the accompanying screenshots to assist you: