is there a fix to a software error in the NJ Pension, Annuities and IRA Wks? The form says only line 4a or 4b should be entered, theres a zero in both; only 4a is correct

[ahayesbelmont]

screenshots available; the AI is useless

[AmyC]

You may have entered a zero where a line needs to be blank. NJ has specific rules regarding 3 year rule vs general rule method for pension exclusion. If the software thinks you are using both or can't tell, it will give this error to get the right choice from you. While working, you contributed to your retirement. Your issue is the recovery. 

1. Line 4b - General Rule: What most people use, a small portion of your savings is returned each month for life.
2. Line 4a - 3 year Rule: You use this if you will recover your entire cost (the total amount you contributed to the plan) within 36 months of your first payment.
   • How it works: You report $0 taxable income from that pension until you have received back every penny of your own contributions.
   • The Transition: Once you have "recouped" your total contributions, every dollar you receive after that point is 100% taxable for NJ purposes.
   • Who usually uses it: Many NJ public employees (like teachers or police officers) with smaller total contributions relative to their high monthly benefits often qualify for this.

Information pulls over from the federal.  Follow these steps:

1. Open to federal
2. Review your 1099-R
3. Check taxable amount not determined or total distribution are checked correctly.
4. Review follow up questions and leave fields blank that are not relevant.

[ahayesbelmont]

Thanks for your reply, it was informative though it did not resolve my issue. 
I verified the 1099-R was entered correctly in the federal income section and rechecked the federal return. Then went to the NJ return, checked Yes for first year withdrawal completed the section and rechecked the NJ return. The software is still populating lines 4a and 4b with a zero and flagging it as an error. The worksheet instructions say to complete either 4a or 4b; in my situation, 4a should be entered. I see no way to clear 4b. Again, this is a Pensions, Annuities and IRA Withdrawal worksheet; line 4a ‘First year of withdrawal from IRA Enter the total of IRA contributions previously taxed’

[RobertB4444]

In this case the only way to clear the entries is from the source.  The 1099-R where it is entered has a zero entered that does not belong there.  You will need to go back to the original 1099-R entry where it was imported and delete the zeroes that have been entered for you.  When the import function gets used it can pull in information that just messes with the system.  So you need to delete the extra zeroes.

[ahayesbelmont]

Thank you for your reply but I manually entered the 1099-R (from the start) and just verified that there are no zeroes in any of the fields. I then went to the NJ return, went through Income again to ensure that the First Year check was checked and completed the section. I then selected ‘Done with state’ to run the check. Unfortunately, the error persists. The error seems to be coming from Part B of the worksheet, Unrecovered Contributions for Second and Later Years; I don’t know/understand why this section is completed since my interview response is that this is the first year.  

[CatinaT1]

Sounds like something got stuck. You can try these things:

• Log Out Completely: Before doing anything else, click Sign Out in the TurboTax menu.
• Clear Cache and Cookies: This removes old, "corrupted" data that might be confusing the website.
• Use an Incognito (Private) Window: This is the most effective "quick fix" because it launches the browser without any saved history or extensions (like AdBlockers) that often interfere with tax forms.
• Check Pop-up Blockers: TurboTax often opens forms (like the 1099 PDF) or payment windows in a separate pop-up. Look at the right side of your address bar for a small icon with a "red X"—click it and select "Always allow pop-ups from Intuit."
• Restart the Browser: Close all open windows of your browser entirely and then reopen it.

Most TurboTax errors happen because the browser is trying to use an old "session" from a previous visit. By clearing the cache or using Incognito mode, you force the browser to establish a brand-new, secure connection with the Intuit servers.

[ahayesbelmont]

Thanks for your reply, I wish I could tell you it worked. I cleared cache and cookies, closed every open window and tried again. Went to my state return, hit Done with State and ran the check. The same error was flagged. I signed out and tried signing on to the site on my iPad. I have never before accessed the site from my iPad; went to my state return, hit Done with State and ran the check - same error. 

I’ve been chasing this error for almost two weeks. Instead, what I’d like to know now is if the NJ Pension Annuities and IRA Wks is filed with my return? Some worksheets are not and if this is one of them, I can let this go and file my returns. Thank you

[RobertB4444]

No, the worksheet is not filed with your return.  You should be able to file with no issue.

[ahayesbelmont]

Thank you!!!