topic Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

pv3677 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:39:53 GMT

1,025,655 people in Minnesota applied and were approved for Frontline Worker Pay. I just found out recently that this is taxable income, and by searching through the previous questions here about it, I learned that we need to use the 1099-MISC form to claim it. I’m someone who almost always has what TurboTax considers a simple tax return, and am able to file with the free edition. However, the 1099-MISC form isn’t included in the free edition, so TurboTax says I have to upgrade to Deluxe for $78 just to claim the frontline pay. I think this situation should be an exception and a free upgrade to the Deluxe version. Is there anything that can be done about this or does everyone in Minnesota who uses TurboTax to claim frontline pay need to pay the $78?

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

DaveF1006 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 22:36:49 GMT

You can try to file this as other income and possibly workaround the requirement to file this as 1099-MISC income. Try this and let us know if this is successful.

Go to federal>income and expenses>all income>>show more
Less Common Income> Start
Miscellaneous Income,>start
Other reportable income>start
Next screen asks Any Other Taxable Income>yes
The next screen will allow you to report the income with a brief explanation.
Describe this as Minnesota Front line Worker pay and then record the amount

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

pv3677 — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 23:25:28 GMT

Ok, thanks for the idea, I will try this tomorrow morning and let you know how it goes.

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

pv3677 — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 17:33:18 GMT

Ok, I just tried your suggestion, and I get the same message “To accurately complete your taxes, you need to upgrade to TurboTax Deluxe”.

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

crystaldawn23 — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 19:26:39 GMT

This way worked for me! Thank you so much!!

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

JamesG1 — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 21:05:31 GMT

To enter Minnesota Frontline Worker, follow these steps:

Down the left side of the screen, click Federal.
Down the left side of the screen, click Wages & Income.
Click Show more to the right of Less Common Income.
Select Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A.
Select Other reportable Income.
As a description enter MN Frontline Worker Pay.

In the Minnesota tax return, remove the income at the screen Frontline Worker Pay.

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

Jayson S — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 00:59:41 GMT

I put the income in the federal like you said but when I got to the state it said to put the money you received only if you claimed in federal. You said to not do that?

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

BillM223 — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 01:32:52 GMT

I don't see where anyone said "not to do that", but no matter.

In both Dave's and James' suggestions, you are claiming the income on the federal return, so that you will back it off (i.e., subtract it off) the state return.

@Jayson S

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

Jayson S — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 01:44:00 GMT

How do I subtract it in the state? It asks the amount I claimed in federal by putting it in this is automatically subtracted? Im confused

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

BillM223 — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 02:01:06 GMT

Yes, on the Minnesota screen that asks you for the Frontline Worker Pay, enter as a positive number the amount that you added to federal income as Frontline Worker Pay (wherever you entered it). This amount will be subtracted from your state income.

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

Jayson S — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 02:04:44 GMT

I appreciate the quick response thank you very much

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

Jsperl — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 16:54:29 GMT

I inputted the information and it is telling me I need a EIN number for this can I just leave that blank?

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

ErnieS0 — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 17:09:03 GMT

You may be entering your Minnesota Frontline Worker Payment in the wrong place.

Here’s how to enter your Minnesota Frontline Worker Pay in TurboTax.

To add Minnesota Frontline Worker Pay to federal:

Select Federal in the left column
Tap Wages & Income
Scroll down to Less Common Income
Select Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A, 1099-C
Select Other reportable Income
Say Yes to “Any Other Taxable Income”
On “Other Taxable Income,” enter MN Frontline as the description and the amount

To remove Minnesota Frontline Worker Pay from your MN return:

Continue in Minnesota until you see the screen “Frontline Worker Pay”
Enter the Payment Amount (Do not enter an amount unless the payment was included in your federal income)

To learn more about Frontline Worker Pay.

@Jsperl

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

mollyshwiff — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:11:21 GMT

Thank you for the instructions, however, it still wants me to upgrade to the Deluxe addition. How do I avoid this.

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

ErnieS0 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:46:43 GMT

You will have to upgrade to Deluxe to enter other income.

Minnesota says you may be able to file for free on these sites: Free Electronic Filing.

@millyshwiff

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

Jsperl — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:56:17 GMT

I did as you said and it shows me in the review that I need to enter the ein number for the state of Minnesota on the 1099 MISC paperwork

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

ErnieS0 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 01:15:33 GMT

Delete your 1099. If you entered your Minnesota Frontline Worker Pay as Other Income, you do not need an entry in the 1099 section.

Type 1099-misc in Search (magnifying glass) in the top right
Select Jump to 1099-misc
On "1099-MISC Summary" delete your 1099

@Jsperl

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

Cmoench77 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 22:04:04 GMT

I'm not paying to upgrade. And it will not let me enter it any of the ways that are on here.

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

MrsHSmiley — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:33:39 GMT

I thought there is one more step otherwise MN taxes this

Re: Claiming MN Frontline Worker Pay on TurboTax Free Edition

DMarkM1 — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 18:09:55 GMT

Yes, after entering the amount in the federal interview you will need to go to the MN state interview. Click through the income section and you will be asked to enter your MN Frontline Pay to deduct it from MN taxable income.