Inputting state estimated taxes

Forum|Forum|2 months ago
March 24, 2026
1 reply
36 views

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

VolvoGirl

Level 15

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.

swinnjAuthor

Level 2

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)

VolvoGirl

Level 15

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.