Where does the amount for Item B in the Schedule 1 of the State and Local Income Tax Refund Worksheet come from? This worksheet is confusing

[Cindy0H]

The amount comes from your 2017 Schedule A, line 5. (If none, enter zero.)

This is part of this form because if you itemized in 2017, your state taxes benefitted you.

If all three of the following are true, your refund counts as taxable income:

• You itemized deductions last year, instead of taking the standard deduction.
• You claimed state and local income taxes (not general sales taxes).
• Claiming the deduction helped you increase your federal refund or lower your tax bill.

Even when your refund is taxable, it may not be the entire amount. It depends on how much the deduction affected your refund or tax bill. 

If you have other questions about this, ask in the comment box below.

[Benjiboy]

State Tax Refund Worksheet / Item B - How do I find it?  What is it asking for?

[BillM223]

I will repeat Ciny0H's excellent answer, updated for this year:

Note: 20XX is the year from which the refund came (this is on the 1099-G).

The amount comes from your 20XX Schedule A, line 5a. (if the little box next to 5a is not checked). Note, if the refund is old enough, it will just be line 5. In any case, you want to find the amount of state and local income taxes for that year.

This is part of this form because if you itemized in 20XX, your state taxes benefitted you.

If all three of the following are true, your refund counts as taxable income:

• You itemized deductions in 20XX, instead of taking the standard deduction.
• You claimed state and local income taxes (not general sales taxes).
• Claiming the deduction helped you increase your federal refund or lower your tax bill.

Even when your refund is taxable, it may not be the entire amount. It depends on how much the deduction affected your refund or tax bill. 

If you have other questions about this, ask in the comment box below.

@Benjiboy

[Benjiboy]

THANKS Bill,  any tips on e-filing if I forgot my Pin number?

[DanielV01]

Which PIN?  Is this your self-selected PIN?  If it's that, it's on your Form 8879 from last year.  But if you have an IP PIN, this is obtained from the IRS.