Removing and then re-adding the same dependent caused my tax bill to increase by $1.5K

[JasonB1]

I just completed my 2019 return today and owe $3,400.  I am claiming 3 children on my 2019 taxes.  I wanted to see what the difference would be if I only claimed 2 of 3 children.  By only claiming 2 of 3 children, my tax bill increased by over $2K, so I re-added the same child back to my return to claim all 3 children.  However, my tax bill did *not* to the original amount of $3,400.  Instead, my tax bill jumped to $4,200.  Any ideas what could have caused this.  I re-entered the exact same information, so my tax bill should have returned to $3,400.  

Could this be a glitch in the Turbo Tax software?

Appreciate any advice you might have.

Thanks,
Jason

[GiseleD]

It sounds like there might be a data entry error in the third dependent's information. Without seeing your return, I cannot be sure, but may I recommend thoroughly reviewing all of the information for the third dependent? Please closely check the date of birth and all questions regarding dependency. 

[JasonB1]

That certainly seems logical...however, I removed his information and added it back in a dozen times and still get the same results.  I am confident that the data was accurate the first time and each time I entered it.

There has to be something else somewhere that is causing this...or a glitch in the software.

Thanks,
Jason

[AmyC]

You could have a piece of information stuck in your browser. To correct:

1. Delete the dependent.
2. Log out of your return.
3. Try one or more of the following:
   • Don't use Internet Explorer.
   • Clear cookies and cache, instructions on the links.
     • Google Chrome
     • Microsoft Internet Explorer
     • Safari
   • Sign in using a different browser.
   • Sign in using a different device.
4. Log back into your return.
5. Enter the dependent again.

[JasonB1]

Great idea...but it actually made things worse!

Now, instead of owing $4,639...I now owe $4,739.

I deleted all 3 dependents and the bill jumped to $9,239.  Then I added back each child and the bill dropped from $9,239 to $8,739 to $6,739 to $4,739.

[JasonB1]

...and when I added back the child card for 2019, it dropped back down to $4,139.

Still not back to where it was originally.

[JasonB1]

Wondering if there is a way to roll back changes made today to view what information was current as of yesterday?

[ThomasM125]

Sometimes when you remove dependents and re-add them things in related fields can be re-set to their default values. So, that may require you to revisit multiple areas of the tax return to set all of the responses back to what they were before you made the changes.

The safest thing to do would be to delete the return and start it over. You can do this as follows:

1. Look for the "Tax Tools" option on your left menu bar in TurboTax and click on it

2. Find the "Tools" option and click on it

3. Look for "Clear & Start Over " in the menu of options and click on that option to start your return over

[JasonB1]

Ideally, I'd like to roll back to yesterday...and not completely delete everything and start over from scratch.  

Is there a way to do that?

Thanks,

Jason

[Opus 17]

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@JasonB1 wrote:

Ideally, I'd like to roll back to yesterday...and not completely delete everything and start over from scratch.  

Is there a way to do that?

Thanks,

Jason

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No.  Using the online version, all changes are committed when made and there is no saved state to revert to.

If using the desktop version, you can make a backup version at your file at any point, including just prior to making test changes.  The changes are still immediately committed to the active file, but you could delete the active file and open the saved backup and make it your new active file.

[AmyC]

Just delete the one dependent that is somehow stuck in there. Try changing browsers if you are online. If you are desktop, delete that person and save your return. Shut down the computer completely. Let it sit 5-10 minutes and then reboot.

[JasonB1]

Unfortunately, that did not work either.  I even tried from another computer.

It looks like I may have to start all over.  Is there a way to print my current progress so I can easily re-enter it again?

Thanks,
Jason

[AmyC]

Please use the following link for a customer support number. Please call in.

If you are online, you can view what you have done so far. 

1. Log into your return
2. select Federal section
3. on the left side go to Tax Tools
4. click on Tools
5. Pop up box, click on View Tax Summary
6. left side, click Preview my 1040

When done, click Back button on left pane

On the desktop, you just look at the forms in forms mode.

[JasonB1]

After many weeks, I finally discovered the problems.  

The first problem was that when I removed the 3rd dependent, all of his college-related expenses and information were deleted...so I had to re-enter them.  

The other problem which caused a much bigger change in my tax bill was my filling status.  For some reason, when I had removed the 3rd dependent, TurboTax changed my filing status from MFJ to MFS.  Once, I figured that out and changed my filling status back to MFJ for both my Federal and State returns, everything went back to the original values.

[Robert Jones]

Where do I sign at