Deducting Wage Garnishment

[pierrers]

As I understand it, I can deduct my State wage garnishment on my Schedule A.  But, I can't find anywhere to do that on TurboTax.  It runs through the long deductions and credits list and nothing seems to correspond to this. 

Where do I enter a wage garnishment under personal deductions? 

Thank you!

[xmasbaby0]

What?   Not sure what gives you the idea that you can deduct something for having your wages garnished.   Are your wages being garnished for back taxes?  Child support?   Something else?

[pierrers]

Wages are being garnished for back state taxes.

I spoke with a "tax expert" online earlier today that said I could deduct state wage garnishments and bank levies for back taxes on my Schedule A personal return.

Also, when I look at the IRS site it seems to say the same thing.

"Fines or Penalties

No deduction is allowed for fines and penalties paid to a government or specified nongovernmental entity for the violation of any law except in the following situations.

• Certain amounts that constitute restitution.

• Certain amounts paid to come into compliance with the law.

• Amounts paid or incurred as the result of certain court orders in which no government or specified nongovernmental agency is a party.

• Amounts paid or incurred for taxes due."

[DoninGA]

No, the wage garnishment is not an itemized deduction on Schedule A.

Go to IRS Publication 529 Miscellaneous Deductions for fines and penalties which are not deductible on page 7 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p529.pdf#page=7;

[pierrers]

Ok. I still haven't found anything that says this on the page you attached.

How about on the State return?

I'm confused why the accountant I paid to ask this question earlier today told me that it was deductible on Schedule A.

[DoninGA]

This is only for a federal tax return which uses Schedule A.  Not a state tax return.

How a particular state would handle a wage garnishment on a state tax return would be based on the State tax code.

[pierrers]

Thank you for your help!