My husband and I are paid caregivers under a waiver program for our son. How do I enter our W2's so that the income is not being taxed?

[Mamagraham1]

My husband and I got W2's from the Department of Social and Health Services in our state as we are caregivers for our adult special needs son.  I was told our wages were not taxable so I am not sure how to enter them so that they are not being included as taxable income on my taxes.  Thanks for the help!

[ColeenD3 · Accepted solution]

Yes. You would enter the income and then back it out.

Certain Medicaid waiver payments you received for caring for someone living in your home with you may be nontaxable. If these payments were reported to you in box 1 of Form(s) W-2, include the amount on Form 1040 or 1040-SR, line 1. Also, include on line 1 any Medicaid waiver payments you received that you choose to include in earned income for purposes of claiming a credit or other tax benefit, even if you did not receive a Form W-2 reporting these payments. On line 8, subtract the nontaxable amount of the payments from any income on line 8 and enter the result. 

Steps

Do not enter the W-2 in the Wages & Salaries topic. Instead enter it as Other Reportable Income under the Miscellaneous Income section. Take the following steps: 

1. Sign in to TurboTax Online, click Continue your return, then pick up where I left off (if you are using TurboTax CD/ Download, then just open your return on your computer);

1. Click on Federal Taxes at the top of the screen;
2. At the bottom of Your Income box pick the option in blue to help me add other income, then jump to full list;
3. Scroll down the page to the last section titled: Less common Income and click show more;
4. Select start or update next to the last topic titled Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A, 1099-C;
5. Scroll down to the last option titled Other reportable income and select start or edit;
6. When it asks, "Any other reportable income?" say yes then you will make two entries:
7. Your first entry description would be W-2 EIN # (enter EIN number from W-2) Box 1 Medicaid Waiver Payments, and enter the Box 1 amount as a positive number.
8. Next you click "Add Another Miscellaneous Income Item," and enter this description: IRS Notice 2014-7 excludable income and enter the W-2 Box 1 amount as a Negative (-) number. 

This both shows and explains removing the W-2 income, placing a zero on Line 21 of your Form 1040. 

If your W-2 has federal or state taxes withheld, you can enter these amounts in the Deductions & Credits section under Other Income Taxes as Withholding not already entered on W-2.

For more information, refer to IRS Notice 2014–7, 20144 I.R.B. 445 and the IRS FAQs.

[Mamagraham1]

This was so helpful!!!  Thank you so much, I truly appreciate it!!!

[alizapotter]

Hello, I have the same situation, but the instructions did not work for me when I tried to amend my return from 2022 and 2023.  What can I do now?  I received a W-2 and I would like to take advantage of IRS notice 2014-7.  I was not aware of this when I originally filed.