topic Re: Massachusetts Pension Error in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Massachusetts Pension Error

Oldtech1 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 03:15:01 GMT

State e-file fails because "tax exempt pension should not be entered directly on Form 1 for State e-file". This is the error message.

The pension amount has always been taxable and is always shown on form 1. It was not entered directly but was carried over from the federal return. All the right boxes were checked to declare the pension fully taxable.

This is a 2022 Turbo Tax desktop error. Please fix.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

JamesG1 — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 22:39:52 GMT

I am able to report a tax exempt pension and a taxable pension on TurboTax CD/Download. The taxable pension is listed on line 3 of Massachusetts form 1. The tax exempt pension is listed on line 4 of Massachusetts form 1.

Income from most private pensions or annuity plans are taxable in Massachusetts. Certain government pensions are exempt under Massachusetts law.

The screen Pensions and Annuities Summary in the Massachusetts state tax return shows the taxable pension with no entry under Type. How is the pension that you are having trouble with reported on this screen?

@Oldtech1

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

Oldtech1 — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 00:22:48 GMT

Hi and thanks for looking at my question. I looked at the smart worksheet and I see the same one you do. However, the taxable pension is shown on Line3. The final taxable pension less the tax exempt portion should be shown on Line4. At least that is my reading of the worksheet.

I revisited my worksheet and saw that there was a zero in the block for "tax exempt" portion under Line3. I thought the zero (which the software

put there) might be the problem. I erased the zero so that only my taxable pension shows in the Line4 space. I tried to E-file and it failed. The zero is back if that means anything.

I have attached a screenshot of my smart worksheet. Absence any further help from TTax I will proceed to file by mail.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

JamesG1 — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:07:38 GMT

When you entered the IRS form 1099-R in the Federal tax return, does box 2a include a taxable amount or is box 2a empty?

Is the box Taxable amount not determined checked?

At the screen Massachusetts Special Handling About this 1099-R in the Federal tax return, did you select None of the above?

At the screen Was This Distribution From a Qualified Plan?, did you select Non-qualified plan or Qualified Plan?

@Oldtech1

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

Oldtech1 — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 19:51:13 GMT

Hi, thanks for working on this.

Checked questions in your email.

2a shows a taxable amount and that was answered on the fed input.

The taxable amount box is "not" checked.

Yes, I did select "none of the above" for MA special handling.

Last question, I checked 'qualified plan."

I just opened the file and the updates ran. The same error message occurs on MA return.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

BillM223 — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 01:24:26 GMT

"State e-file fails because "tax exempt pension should not be entered directly on Form 1 for State e-file"."

This message generally means that you should not make direct entries on a form, whether in Forms mode in the CD/download software or in the Review (where screens like the form appear). Instead, you should go back to the original input and re-enter the data there.

My guess is that you accidentally marked on a field on Form 1 while in Forms mode.

Since this is Form 1, I don't think you can delete Form 1 in Forms mode, but maybe you can. I would try deleting Form 1 and then walking through the MA interview. Otherwise, you may need to delete MA the state and start it over again. Since you have the CD/download software, this should be doable, if a little time consuming.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

davegr78 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 11:54:21 GMT

I am having the same problem. Nothing has been entered directly on Form. I initially entered only 1 Form 1099-R prior to running error check for Massachusetts without any issues. After I entered a second 1099-R in the exact same fashion as the first one, I am now receiving an error for Massachusetts.

Any specific suggestions for correcting this error would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

Oldtech1 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 18:45:59 GMT

Unfortunately I could not track down a fix. I filed the state by mail. Although TT had a tax expert respond, everything I tried or anything that was suggested by another user did not work. I got tired of troubleshooting their software.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

davegr78 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 19:06:46 GMT

Thanks Oldtech. Unfortunately, I already paid the $25 efile extortion fee and I'm extremely stubborn, so I refuse to paper file because TT's software seems to have a glitch that did not previously exist.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

lfielder54 — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 21:37:01 GMT

YES. This never happened before. I have been a TT user since its inception. I have been retired since 2011 and never had this problem before. I have a government pension that is tax-exempt in Massachusetts where I live. TT will not let me enter this pension as tax-exempt and no longer allows the user to override this type of error. I have seen many questions from users about this, and it is so irritating that TT has not fixed this! Turbotax, prove to me that you have fixed this problem or I will take my business elsewhere.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

LindaS5247 — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 23:47:42 GMT

You need to mark it as a Government Pension when you enter your Form 1099-R.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

Oldtech1 — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 19:39:25 GMT

Someone misread my original post. My pension is not a government pension. Another Massachusetts resident posted the same problem. Just fix the software.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

witurnbull — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 17:48:21 GMT

This error exists with the online version of turbo tax. The customer service representatives have been of no help. I spoke with three of them and still nothing. It was an issue for tax year 2022 but the rep and that time was able to help me resolve the issue and file electronically.

Re: Massachusetts Pension Error

CatinaT1 — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 17:53:13 GMT

You are posting on an old thread. Can you explain your problem?