Why does TurboTax report 529 contributions for 2021 for Ohio when I had none?

[dgremler]

I live in Ohio but made no 529 contributions in 2021.  (I do not believe I have made any such contributions since 2017.)  However, TurboTax indicates on my Ohio portion of my taxes that I contributed $4,000 in 2021.  I cannot find anywhere to change this number.  Is this a carryover from earlier years?  (I cannot believe I would still have any funds left to carryover if that is the case.)   I have no idea how TurboTax determined this number nor any idea of how I can change it. 

[MayaD]

Yes, it is possible that you have a carry over from prior years. Amounts of contributions above the limit will carry over to future years.

To check your entries :

Open your Ohio state return:

1. Click Continue on Let's work on your state return
2. Click Edit next to Ohio Resident 
3. Enter your County, School District, and Confirm Your Address on the next few screens
4. On the screen that says Here's the income that Ohio handles differently, in the Education section, click Start next to CollegeAdvantage fund section 529 plan.

If you are an Ohio taxpayer, you are eligible to deduct up to $​4,000 of contributions per beneficiary, per year from your State of Ohio taxable income. Amounts above $4000 per person are automatically carried forward to next year's return. 

[dgremler]

Thanks for this insight. 

As near as I can tell, the number ($4,000) for 2021 is not able to be changed since there was (apparently) carry over from last year (and probably from several years before).  I assume the amount left in the "Prior Year Unused Amounts" column (for the "College Savings Accounts (529)" window) will be reduced by $4,000 when I get ready to do my 2022 taxes.

[AnnetteB6]

Yes, as long as you use TurboTax again and transfer your tax data from 2021 into the 2022 version of the program, the amount will be reduced and anything remaining will be deducted up to the limit on your 2022 return.

Additionally, there should be a worksheet included with your 2021 Ohio return that shows the amount available to carry forward to future years.

@dgremler