topic Inputting state estimated taxes in State tax filing

Inputting state estimated taxes

swinnj — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:32:41 GMT

I am trying to input state income tax payments so that (a) the correct amount is shown/deducted for Federal purposes and (b) the correct amount is shown for estimated payments made to the state. Example is as follows (Illustrative #)

2025 Payments
Jan -500 (estimated payment for 2024)
April - 300 (amount paid - balance of tax due for 2024)
April/June/September - $1500 (Q1-Q3 estimated payments for 2025 taxes
Jan 2026 - $1500 (Q4 payment)

In the Federal section I show the four payments in 2025 ($500 in Jan 4500 in April/June Sept) plus the $300 payment so that is $5,300 which is the amount of state income tax paid in 2025 for Federal.

However the state tax carries forward the $5300 as I did not input the $1500 Jan 2026 payment, but for 2026 estimated taxes are $6000 not the $5300. So TurboTax is carrying forward the $5300 (as input) but there is nowhere I can see to show that my actual 2025 estimated payments were $6000. If I input the Jan 2026 payment it is showing that paid in 2025, and included in my state tax paid, which is incorrect for Federal

Re: Inputting state estimated taxes

VolvoGirl — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:38:03 GMT

You have to enter all the payments. Enter the 4th qtr Jan 2026 in the state estimated section. And enter the date you paid it. It won’t count for a federal Schedule A deduction.

Re: Inputting state estimated taxes

swinnj — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:06:36 GMT

Thank you however I do not see anywhere to input state estimated section when I am completing my state income tax return. It is carrying over the Federal Amount (the Federal Amount...which is my actual 2025 payments is correct)

Re: Inputting state estimated taxes

VolvoGirl — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:11:46 GMT

I’m not following you. But you enter state estimated payments under the federal side (because they can be a federal itemized Deduction). THEN after you finish filling out the estimates under Federal you need to click on the State Tab at the top and start the state return over for it to update. Only the state estimates paid in 2025 will go to federal Schedule A.

You have to pick the right state from the drop down box and enter the right payment dates.

Re: Inputting state estimated taxes

VolvoGirl — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:38:28 GMT

I made you a couple screenshots from my Desktop program. But the 4th quarter estimated payment date defaults to 2026. So I don't understand why you are having trouble with it.

Re: Inputting state estimated taxes

swinnj — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:04:38 GMT

Ah, I missed that a bit below the screenshot there were separate tabs to (a) input the Jan 2025 payment that I made for 2024 taxes and (b) to input the April 2025 state payment for balance of 2024 tax due. Now my Federal and State are both correct...first time I've used TurboTax this year.

Thank you so much for all your help it is much appreciated!!!

Re: Inputting state estimated taxes

VolvoGirl — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:12:00 GMT

Whew ! Glad you got it working. Did you transfer from 2024 Turbo Tax? I think it might carryover the State Jan 2025 estimated payment and the state tax due from 2024 return.

Re: Inputting state estimated taxes

swinnj — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:49:05 GMT

First time TT user so no 2024 data, but hopefully this will make 2026 easier.