topic BUG: Imported W-2 does not populate Maryland Form 502 Box 41 withholding (manual entry fixes) in State tax filing

BUG: Imported W-2 does not populate Maryland Form 502 Box 41 withholding (manual entry fixes)

btrutt — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:59:46 GMT

I ran into what appears to be a TurboTax bug on Maryland returns while using the Desktop version of Turbotax Home & Business for Mac users for 2025 returns.

The Problem:

When I imported my spouse’s W-2, the Maryland state tax withheld (W-2, Box 17) did not populate into the Maryland state return, even though the W-2 appeared correct in the federal section. As a result, Maryland withholding showed as missing on Line 41 of Maryland Form 502. This caused the calculated Maryland tax due to be significantly overstated, since the state withholding from the W-2 was not included as a deduction on the Maryland return.

Note: It is unclear if this issue affects other state returns. Has anyone else noticed this?

Solution:
Deleting the imported W-2 and re-entering it manually immediately fixed the issue. Line 41 withholding then populated correctly on Form 502. This appears to be an import/mapping issue specific to the Maryland return. In my case this resulted in an incorrect balance due of nearly $10,000. It was quite a relief to find the solution! I’m posting here so other users are aware and in case TurboTax can flag or investigate it.

Re: BUG: Imported W-2 does not populate Maryland Form 502 Box 41 withholding (manual entry fixes)

SteamTrain — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:00:43 GMT

@btrutt

A question I would have for you...is exactly how did you "import" it?

1) Was it directly from the W-2 provider?

2) did you upload a picture or load a PDF file of that W-2?

_________________________

#1 only has rare problems, mostly in the formatting of the file the provider of the W-2 creates.

#2 Can have some major issues, because an A.I . must "Interpret" what it sees, and it is critical that you EDIT any form you upload using method #2 to make sure everything was entered in the proper boxes

I always recommend manual entry instead of #2.

Re: BUG: Imported W-2 does not populate Maryland Form 502 Box 41 withholding (manual entry fixes)

btrutt — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:22:48 GMT

@SteamTrain

It was uploaded from a pdf on my computer, which on the desktop version is the recommended option. Why is this the recommended option if it can lead to such a large error?

Re: BUG: Imported W-2 does not populate Maryland Form 502 Box 41 withholding (manual entry fixes)

SteamTrain — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:34:01 GMT

Don't know. Yeah it's just a personal Opinion...but Manual entry is so much safer.

"someday" the AI they use will become flawless but it isn't yet.

I'm on this Forum all the time...and Over the past couple years, there have been cases with Picture or PDF uploads...where the state wages got entered in the state withholding box. Think that caused any problems? You Bet they did.

Re: BUG: Imported W-2 does not populate Maryland Form 502 Box 41 withholding (manual entry fixes)

btrutt — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 17:14:33 GMT

Thanks for your comments. Before I fixed the error the Turbotax software actually allowed me to proceed to e-file my erroneous tax return and gave me the 100% satisfaction/accuracy guarantee. E-filing before fixing the error would have cost me nearly $7500 in overpaid taxes.