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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 1:48:27 PM

I'm asked to enter real estate tax in the Business section for the home office credit and again under Deductions & Credits. Property Tax is now doubled. Is this an issue?

Why doesn't Turbo Tax flag this as an error if it's not correct? 

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 1:48:28 PM

Unfortunately, TurboTax may not see this as an error, since the total Property Tax in Itemized Deductions can come from several properties that are unrelated to your main home or home office.

It is best to enter Mortgage Interest and Property Tax in the Home Office section first.

Let TurboTax calculate the % of Home Office, and take that % of those costs.  The balance 'should' go automatically to Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. 

However, with some of the new regulations on Property Tax and Mortgage Interest for 2018, this may not always function as perfectly as it should.

It is good that you noticed the error, and in FORMS mode, can make the corrections needed. Or, you could delete the entry in the Personal section and go through the Home Office section again. 

Here's more info:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/7138197

3 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 1:48:28 PM

Unfortunately, TurboTax may not see this as an error, since the total Property Tax in Itemized Deductions can come from several properties that are unrelated to your main home or home office.

It is best to enter Mortgage Interest and Property Tax in the Home Office section first.

Let TurboTax calculate the % of Home Office, and take that % of those costs.  The balance 'should' go automatically to Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. 

However, with some of the new regulations on Property Tax and Mortgage Interest for 2018, this may not always function as perfectly as it should.

It is good that you noticed the error, and in FORMS mode, can make the corrections needed. Or, you could delete the entry in the Personal section and go through the Home Office section again. 

Here's more info:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/7138197

Level 2
Sep 14, 2020 5:52:15 AM

In my opinion, this is a TurboTax Software issue - the instructions are far from clear - in the Home Office Deduction Section it specifically states "We're looking for Frank's total expenses for the home here, not the home office." - I ended up with a smaller than expected State Refund due to double credit for Property Taxes paid - I use TurboTax for the "step by step" guidance > it shouldn't be up to me to know the assumptions the software is making.

Level 15
Sep 14, 2020 7:47:49 AM

It's not an issue if you read the screen. The wording for you may not be exactly as on my screenshot. But the fact it's accounted for is made clear. See what's circled in screenshot below.