US Principle Abode

[wendyinmd]

I appreciate the response, but this is not the question, or section I was referring to.  The question I am looking to get back to was in the Federal Review section.  It first asked about living in Puerto Rico, and then it asked about being a "principle abode".   Multiple people have referred me to the child tax credit section, but it was never there, nor do I believe it had anything to do with child tax credits.  At least it didn't ask anything about that.

[wendyinmd]

where to I find the information smart worksheet?  I looked in tools and didn't see that option.  I even put it in the search bar but it didn't come up.

[DoninGA]

@wendyinmd The question concerning Principle Abode and Puerto Rico are asked in the Child and Dependent Credit section for completing a Schedule 8812.  Verifying your answers in that section should remove the error in Federal Review.

See screenshots - The first screenshot is from the Schedule 8812.  The second screenshot is from the Child and Dependent Credit interview -

If you have verified your information in the Child and Dependent Credit section is correct and are still receiving an error in Federal Review then delete the Schedule 8812 and then go back through the Child and Dependent Credit section again.

Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the online program screen

Click on Tools

Click on Delete a form

[wendyinmd]

DoninGA - thank you thank you!!   This is so helpful (and I'm grateful!!) - however...... I can't figure out how to get to Schedule 8812 - or any worksheets for that matter.  I've typed it in the search bar and also gone to Tools but can't find where to pull up any forms or worksheets.  Can you please point me in that direction?   

[DoninGA]

@wendyinmd

To enter the child tax credit

• Click on Federal Taxes
• Click on Deductions & Credits
• Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
• Under You and Your Family
• On Child and Other Dependent Tax Credit, click on the start or update button

Or enter child tax credit in the Search box located in the upper right of the program screen. Click on Jump to child credit

[wendyinmd]

Hi.

I did this process many times.  After your reply, I did it again, more slowly in case I missed anything.  Still, schedule 8812, like your screenshot, is no where to be found.   I go through that whole section, which is only 3 questions - none of which ask about the principle abode.  It just says, "congrats, you get a child tax credit." and then moves on to the next section.  I'd love to know how to access the schedules, particularly the 8812.

[wendyinmd]

Forgot to mention in my earlier reply that I did find the "delete a form" option.  I don't really want to delete it - I want to view it and possibly edit it.  Is that even an option?

[DMarkM1]

In TurboTax online versions you cannot view/edit forms.  You can download/print the forms/worksheets to see them.  You will find that option in the "Tax Tools" menu.  Select the "print center" and follow the prompts. 

In TurboTax desktop versions you can view/edit forms using the "Forms View" option found at the top right of the page.  

You mention you may have answered the question wrong.  Did you have your main home in the US at least 6 mos?  How should you have answered? 

If you have dependents and answered "yes" you should see a refundable credit on your form 1040 line 28.  If you have dependents but answered "No" you would likely see a non-refundable credit on your form 1040, line 19 and possibly another entry on line 28.  

If you do not have dependents there would not be an entry on either line.

You can actually view your form 1040 without printing following these steps.

1. "Tax Tools" in the left hand menu
2. "Tools"
3. "View Tax Summary" in the main screen
4. "Preview My 1040" in the left hand menu 

In order to update the entries in online versions you will need to answer the questions in the federal interview as noted in earlier posts.  

@wendyinmd

[wendyinmd]

Thank you for the helpful suggestions.  Your post made me realize why I'm struggling so much this year, compared the previous years I have used Turbotax with ease.  I am using the online version and in the past, I used desktop.  This online version has not been nearly as user friendly, in my opinion.   The question I answered incorrectly is not the question you referred to.  The one you mentioned I have come across several times and I know I answered it correctly.  The question about 'principle abode' (an entirely different question in a different section) I know that I answered 'no' (incorrectly).  I have simply been trying to get back to that question and have never been successful no matter how many experts have tried to help.  Also, the "preview" you refer to gives very basic 1 page information.  The preview does not allow for drilling down in to the information.   I have done my taxes before - for the past 5 years actually - so I am not new to doing this.  I continue to find this year (the online version, I guess) to be miserable in comparison.  Before today is over, I will be switching to the desktop version since thankfully I have not yet had to pay anything for the online version.  Above all, thank you for making me realize that the versions are totally different. It explains so much. 

[tripti301]

II understand the meaning of abode, but I have not claimed any child credit, so why ask? 

[tripti301]

I understand the meaning of abode. I have not claimed any dependents or child care credit. Then why is Turbotax trying to prompt me to put a value in there?

[xmasbaby0]

@tripti301

Everyone has to answer whether they received advance child tax credit payments.   If you did not receive any of those payments between July and December you need to answer that you did not receive any payments.

There are so many scenarios with those payments---like divorced/never married parents who have issues over who received the payments, who claimed the children, etc. --- the software has no way of knowing if any of that involves you---so you have to answer the questions about it. 

Please follow these steps to indicate you did not receive any advanced payments:

1. Click on the "Search" on the top and type "Child tax credit"
2. Click on “Jump to Child Tax Credit”
3. Continue through the questions until the "Tell us about any advance Child Tax Credit payments" screen and select "No".
4. Continue through the questions.

[turb4ec16]

Thanks