topic Why doesn't the desktop software properly amend my return? in After you file

Why doesn't the desktop software properly amend my return?

smitovsky — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:59:46 GMT

Trying to amend my 2014 return (forgot to take a home-office deduction). Downloaded the .tax file and the 2014 software, entered all the new info, software said I had a significant deduction, but then at the end it says "we didn't find any differences between your amended and original return". What could the problem be?

Look at the form 1040X ... are the amounts in Column A th...

Critter — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:59:47 GMT

Look at the form 1040X ... are the amounts in Column A the same as Column C ? Is the amounts in Column A the same as the original tax return ?

Also review the old Sch A & the new Sch A ... having a Ho...

Critter — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:59:51 GMT

Also review the old Sch A & the new Sch A ... having a Home Office deduction on line 21 for employee business expenses form 2106 may not be enough to change anything.

Or is this on a Sch C for self employed income ?

Critter — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:59:54 GMT

Or is this on a Sch C for self employed income ?

If you are using turbotax installed on your computer (whi...

Opus 17 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:59:56 GMT

If you are using turbotax installed on your computer (which you pretty much have to be at this point) you can click the "Forms" button at the top to switch to forms view. There may be a home office worksheet, and then your home office expenses will go either to a schedule C (if you are self employed) or form 2106 and schedule A (if you are a W-2 employee).

If you are a schedule C independent contractor, about the only reason you wouldn't get the home office deduction is if you did not earn a business profit. Compare the schedule C currently in your tax file with the one you originally filed. Also look at your current form 1040 line 12 compared with the return you filed.

If you are a W-2 employee, your work related deductions on form 2106 are limited by 2% of your gross income and then go to schedule A where you must itemize your deductions to get any benefits. So, if your income was let's say, $50,000, then your work deductions have to be more than $1000 before you can take anything. And if your total itemized deductions are less than the standard deduction, you still won't get anything for the home office because the standard deduction is better. Check your form 2106 and your schedule A, and compare your current form 1040 line 40 with the return you filed.

That was it, Super - thanks! Besides the 2% issue, the f...

smitovsky — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:59:58 GMT

That was it, Super - thanks! Besides the 2% issue, the fact is that the mortgage and real estate taxes are already deductible for the entire house...so that doesn't leave much additional to deduct anyway. I wish the software would provide an explanation to this effect, after you finish entering the numbers. They should hire you!