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saraneedscoffee83
Returning Member

Estimating tax for next year

This is the first year that I'm working completely as a self-employed person and I would like to estimate how much I will owe next year. I know you have a tax estimator tool but it doesn't seem to take into account things like child care credit and other credits that aren't related to the actual business. Is there a way to get a more accurate idea of what I will owe with my credits included?

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3 Replies
Michele_H
Employee Tax Expert

Estimating tax for next year

Hi @saraneedscoffee83  Here is a calculator from the IRS that may help get a more accurate idea of your tax situation.

https://apps.irs.gov/app/tax-withholding-estimator

 

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saraneedscoffee83
Returning Member

Estimating tax for next year

That link is only for individuals who receive a paycheck or pension that withholds money. This whole event is about self-employed individuals so I'm confused why this calculator was even suggested.

Estimating tax for next year

Try these tools:

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/IRS-Withholding-Calculator  

 https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools  

http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/taxcaster 

 

 

 

Even though the program comes out sometime in November each year it is only a beta version which will not be fully operational until  late January at the earliest (much later for some forms and the state programs).  Efiling will not be open until late January at best so do not be in a rush to file.

 

 

If you are trying to do some tax planning then use the fully operational 2020 downloaded version instead. 

 

 

 

This is my mini version of  a tutorial  that should be in the downloaded program: 

 

 

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

                  

Related Information:

                             

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

  • >>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy
  • 1.  Open your return in TurboTax. 
  • 2.  From the File menu, choose Save As. 
  • 3.  Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name). 
  • 4. Click  Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original. 
  •  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

 

  • >>  use the WHAT IF tool: 
  • - Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view) 
  • - Click on the Open Form Icon 
  • - In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form 
  • - You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form 
  • - To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

 

 

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

  1. From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
  2. Browse to where you want to save your backup.
    • Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
  3. In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
  4. Click Save and then close TurboTax.
  5. Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:                             

 

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

AND protect the files :

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