I filed a paper 1040 return that per USPS was delivered to IRS on 2/19/22. Unfortunately, after 40 years without problems this return was never processed. The IRS initially said wait 6 months and don't re-file but in the last month finally said to re-file electronically since there still is no status posted for my refund. The problem is that my itemized deduction total is different than Turbo Taxes' and I can't understand how that can be. All I itemize is state tax, property tax, mortgage interest, and charitable contributions. So that's four figures to add up (even I can do that!). But what they show for my itemized deduction total is $469 more than what I have. That would be great as it would mean a slightly bigger refund but I'm fearful that I entered something wrong because it absolutely makes no sense. The property tax, mortgage interest and charitable contributions amounts on TT all match my paper return. It's the state tax deduction section of TT where the problem lies. I'm nervous to file until I understand why.
look at schedule A, if you elected to deduct foreign taxes they would show up on line 6 and are in addition to the $10K standard limitation.
could you have paid state taxes in 2021 or applied a state tax overpayment from 2020 to 2021? are they on your list?
that number had to come from something you entered. contact support for help.
State and local taxes paid are:
any state withholding from your paychecks, retirement checks, unemployment checks, etc.
a state tax due you paid last year
any state estimated tax payments you made
any local taxes withheld on your checks like SDI in box 14 or 19 on your W2 - those will transfer automatically from your W2.
I am not a tax professional.
If you didn't have any state income tax withheld or paid, or if it would be less than the state sales tax, TT might have used your standard (not specific) state sales tax which is calculated based on your state, your county, your city if any, sales tax rates and your AGI. It is an alternative tax to state income tax. TT will use the bigger number of income tax and sales tax. To check which was used, go to schedule A in TT forms view and see if the box was checked for sales tax under 5a.
Another possibility concerns taxes other than withholding that were paid in 2021 and are found on the Schedule A State and Local taxes paid worksheet, there are many of them, you can see what TT used to get your state taxes paid. If you click on the state taxes withheld on this worksheet you will be able to drill down and see where it got the number if that is what you don't agree with. Hope this helps.
You can't figure out the reason for the difference by just looking at the total itemized deductions. Compare Schedule A in TurboTax line by line to your copy of Schedule A from the original paper return that you filed. When you see which line (or lines) is different, that will tell you where to look further for the cause of the difference.
By the way, it is now too late to e-file a 2021 tax return. The IRS has shut down e-filing until sometime in January to prepare for 2022 returns. You will have to mail your resubmitted return.
Thanks to you and everyone for the help. So kind. I think I figured out the problem. Apparently, it does have to do with Box 14 on the W2 as someone else here suggested. In my case, the box both lists a tax as well as the wages on which (I guess) the tax is based. But the dropdown selection only allowed you to choose one option which resulted in both being calculated as taxes paid. Someone on line suggested using "other" for the wages amount, though I'm not even sure why I have to include it at all. But even just temporarily getting rid of that got my deductions in line with my original Schedule A. I know longer feel like I'm going crazy.
I mean I "no" longer feel....this has been a long and tiring first experience with electronic tax return submission!
Yeah you probably should ignore the wages in box 14. Just enter the tax amount. What was it for?