topic Bug in 1040 line 26 "explain" button on Turbo Tax 2024 Desktop in Retirement tax questions

Bug in 1040 line 26 "explain" button on Turbo Tax 2024 Desktop

kh77777 — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:58:43 GMT

On my TurboTax 2024 desktop version, I need to add an explanation statement to line 26 as I have 2 different tax deductions to apply. There is an "explain" button to add this explanation, but it opens a form to explain 1040, schedule 3, line 8 NOT 1040 line 26. If I override and try and explain line 26 it throws errors and I can't eFile

This seems to be a bug, but I can't figure out how to file a bug. I'll leave it here.

Re: Bug in 1040 line 26 "explain" button on Turbo Tax 2024 Desktop

dmertz — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 01:49:16 GMT

Line 26 has nothing to do with tax deductions. It's for estimated tax payments and overpayment from your 2023 tax return that you elected to apply to your 2024 estimated taxes. If you need to enter estimated tax payments, there is a separate section for that under Deductions and Credits that populates TurboTax's Tax Payments Worksheet. Itemized deductions go on Schedule A and tax credits go on Schedule 3.

I'm not sure why the explanation statement that appears when you click the Explain button next to Form 1040 line 26 is being identified as being for Schedule 3 line 8, but that Explain button is only for providing an explanation statement if you changed your name and had made estimated tax payments under your former name. Nothing else requires explanation with respect to line 26.

Re: Bug in 1040 line 26 "explain" button on Turbo Tax 2024 Desktop

kh77777 — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 01:51:43 GMT

right, sorry, that's what I meant to write "estimated taxes" not deductions.

The bug is the wrong explanation statement form appears when you push the "explain" button for line 26.

Re: Bug in 1040 line 26 "explain" button on Turbo Tax 2024 Desktop

dmertz — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 01:59:26 GMT

Are you saying that you need to explain your or your spouse's name change and estimated tax payments were made under the former name? That's the only purpose of that explanation statement and is the only reason to provide an explanation statement for line 26. If so, ignore the fact that TurboTax presents that statement form in step-by-step mode with the wrong line number. The actual explanation statement provided in your tax return is identified correctly as Line 26 Estimated Tax Payment Name Change.