Maryland state income tax

[graciehoney]

The "state and local income taxes" amount (line 17b of Maryland form 502) that TurboTax inserted into my Maryland form is lower than the amount on my federal Schedule A form (line 5a). The Schedule A amount is the same as the amount shown on line 17 of my W-2 form. Can anyone explain what is going on? Thanks.

[LenaH]

Per the State of Maryland, the amount used as a deduction for state and local taxes for federal purposes is entered on Line 17b. I completed a mock-up return and Line 17b of Form 502 was the amount on my W-2 form, Box 17. 

However, any amounts deducted for contributions of Preservation or Conservation Easements for which a credit is claimed is added to line 17b as well. 

If you did not take a credit for contributions of Preservation or Conservation Easements, then it would be helpful to have a TurboTax ".tax2021" file that is experiencing this issue.

You can send us a “diagnostic” file that has your “numbers” but not your personal information. If you would like to do this, here are the instructions: Go to the black panel on the left side of your program and select Tax Tools. 

1. Then select Tools below Tax Tools. 
2. A window will pop up which says Tools Center.  
3. On this screen, select Share my file with Agent. 
4. You will see a message explaining what the diagnostic copy is. Click okay through this screen and then you will get a Token number. 
5. Reply to this thread with your Token number. This will allow us to open a copy of your return without seeing any personal information.  

We will then be able to see exactly what you are seeing and we can determine what exactly is going on in your return and provide you with an answer.

[graciehoney]

Thank you for the instructions, but I was unable to find Tax Tools or the black panel containing it in my program. I am using TurboTax Deluxe. A message from TurboxTax I found using the program's search function implied that I should have the tax form open when looking for Tax Tools, but all I could find within the program was the worksheets for appropriate tax forms, without a Tax Tool option. The return forms themselves open as PDF files outside TurboTax.

I should note that I have filed my federal return electronically and it has been accepted. I am waiting to complete my Maryland return until I hear back from TurboTax on the issue I originally raised.

So, I would love to provide you a Token number, as you suggest, but I need clearer instructions on how to do this. Thank you for any further assistance!

[LenaH]

If you would like to send us a token, here are the instructions for TurboTax Download:
 

1. On your menu bar at the very top, click "Online"
2. Select "Send Tax File to Agent"
3. Click "Send"
4. The pop-up will have a token number
5. Reply to this thread with your Token number. This will allow us to open a copy of your return without seeing any personal information.

We will then be able to see exactly what you are seeing and we can determine what exactly is going on in your return and provide you with a resolution.

@graciehoney

[graciehoney]

Thank you for your response. However, "Send Tax File to Agent" is not an option under "Online." The only options are "Check for Updates," "TurboTax Website," "View Installed Updates," "Updater Preferences," and "ScreenShare Code." I searched your website for "Send Tax File to Agent" but did not see anything useful. So what do I do now?

[CarissaM]

@graciehoney Please use the option to Share my file with agent, and this will generate the token needed. 

[graciehoney]

There is NO option under "Online" to "Share my file with agent." I told TurboTax in my previous message what options I have available. This is at least the third time I have contacted TurboTax with respect to this particular problem, and I'd really like an answer to it. Either that, or make me an offer of a partial refund on my "deluxe" TurboTax package, and I'll do the Maryland tax form by hand.