Can anyone explain what "amount not on principal residence" means when filling in property taxes? First time homeowner here

[DavidD66]

It is referring to the property tax you might have paid on a property other than your principal residence.  That could be a second home,  a vacation rental, a parcel of land, etc.  If you don't own any other real property, then it wouldn't apply to you.

[bseguin-mail-roo]

Thank you! That's what I thought but when putting zero (as it does not apply to me), TurboTax was flagging it for review, so I second guessed myself

[mpriva]

The same thing is happening to me which is what led me here, if its zero why does it still flag it for a review repeatedly

[MonikaK1]

I have not encountered this issue with either TurboTax Online or Desktop. You might try deleting the zero and leaving the entry blank if you don't have real estate taxes on another property besides your residence. 

If you are not able to clear errors on Federal Review due to this, please provide more information about the error message you are seeing.

Please see this TurboTax help article for more information about entering real estate taxes.

[AnnMcK-]

I am encountering the same problem others spoke about on my Illinois State return.

Credit for Property taxes paid.

Enter the total property tax you paid in 2023 and the amount of property tax paid that was not on your principal residence.

I put the tax I paid in 2023 for the principle residence and Amount NOT on principle residence as zero.

It is flagged "needs review".

I put in the Tax paid on principle residence AND amount NOT on principle resience both as zero.

It is flagged "needs review".

I deleted anything in both boxes.

it is still flagged "needs review".

why does it keep flagging and How to get rid of it?

[CatinaT1]

Try closing TurboTax, clear your Cache and Cookies if you are using TurboTax Online, and reopen TurboTax.  You can also try a different browser.

Also, make sure you have ran all updates. 

If you are using TurboTax Desktop, check for updates under the Online Tab.

[edited 2.9.24 | 11:39am]

[AnnMcK-]

thank you for the suggestions. I am using the online version.

on the Google Chrome browser, closed, reopened, cleared the Cache and Cookies, checked that the browser is up to date. Same result on the State: property taxes flagged for review.

on the Edge browser (I never use this browser, but checked that it is updated), I cleared the cache and cookies, and same result: property taxes flagged for review.

I put the amount listed as paid for 2023 on my property tax form from the mortgage company on the "Property Taxes Paid" box

"Amount not on principle residence" box is zero.

Do you have more suggestions on next steps?

Best,

Ann

[AbrahamT]

I just entered the information on my online ‌‌ version of TT and I'm not getting any error message. My advice to you would be to delete all the input in its entirety and sign out of the program. Then, go back into the program and re-enter the details of the real estate taxes again from scratch. If you are still having this error message, then I would recommend for you to do the following:

I would like to take a deeper look at this . However, I need a diag file which is a copy of your tax return that has all of your personal information removed. You can send one to us by following the directions below.

Turbotax Online:

 Sign into your Online account.

Locate the Tax Tools on the left hand side of the screen

A dropdown will appear. Select Tools.

On the popup screen, click on "Share my file with agent"

This will generate a message that a diagnostic file gets sanitized and transmitted to us.

Please provide the Token number in a reply to this post.

Turbotax Desktop:

Open your return

Click the Online tab in the black bar across the top of Turbotax and Select Send Tax File to Agent

This will generate a message that a diagnostic copy will be created.

Click on OK and the tax file will be sanitized and transmitted to us.

Please provide the Token Number that was generated in the response. 

[AnnMcK-]

Hi Abraham T,

Thanks for responding, I've created a diagnostic copy see token ID 1186978.

Note, I am using the online version, so no need to provide desktop instructions, they won't work for me.

Please let me know what you find out, I'd prefer not to redo the whole return, if possible.

Ann

[AnnMcK-]

On the online version, I have deleted the tax return, signed out of the program, restarted the computer, then started a new form from scratch and am still getting the same review flag on the Illinois Section for property taxes paid on principle residence. Zero is entered in both boxes in that section. I've pulled another diagnostic copy for agent review on this: 1194133

I am getting frustrated with this program's function.

[DawnC]

The ''needs review'' message will not prevent e-file.   I looked at your return, and there were no entries on Schedule ICR nor in the federal property tax section.   Enter the amount in the federal section (even if you are not itemizing).   If you're a homeowner, your property taxes are entered in the Deductions & Credits section:

1. Sign in and open your return if you're not already in it.
2. Inside TurboTax, search for property tax and select the Jump to link at the top of your search results.
3. Answer Yes to the question Did you pay property or real estate taxes in 2023?
4. Enter your property/real estate taxes on the next screen.   

After entering your taxes in the federal section, go back through the IL return.   When you get to the property tax page, enter the amount you entered in the federal part in the Paid in 2023 box and leave the other box (amount not principle residence) blank.   The message should clear, but even if it doesn't, the message will not prevent you from e-filing successfully.   Check your IL-1040 Line 16 for your credit amount.   If it is there, you can submit your returns without error.    @AnnMcK- 

[AnnMcK-]

@DawnC  Thank you! this was exactly the instructions I needed that cleared the flag! I really appreciate your help, Have a wonderful rest of your day!! 🙂 🙂

[eveiv1982]

Just need some clarification ... 

If you own one property and use it as your personal residence only, is that also considered your principle residence?

Property taxes paid in 2024:  $##,###.##   (This is my personal residence only as I do not run a business out of my home)

And if so, would this question below be $0?

Amount not on principle residence:

[ThomasM125]

Yes, if you live in the one property you own, it would be your principal residence. You would answer $0 in this case.