Why this message? Earlier you told us you have $0 in teacher (educator) expenses, so there’s nothing to deduct. You can go back and enter a different amount or keep going

[burtonfamily-sho]

I have educator expenses, and I have reported them as $250, but I get this message when I do. How do I get TurboTax to accept my report of $250 in expenses?

[AnnetteB6]

It is possible that the amount you entered did transfer to your actual tax return, and the message on the screen is just a fluke.  

Use the following steps to take a look at your actual Form 1040 using TurboTax Online to see if the $250 deduction was reported:

1. Open or continue your return.
2. Select Tax Tools in the left menu (if you don't see this, select the menu icon in the upper-left corner).
3. With the Tax Tools menu open, you can then:
   • View only your 1040 form: Select Tools. Next, select View Tax Summary in the pop-up, then Preview my 1040 in the left menu.

Scroll through the Form 1040 to Line 10 or keep going to Schedule 1 Line 11 where you should see the $250 reported.

If you are using a CD/downloaded version of TurboTax, use Forms mode in the upper right corner to view the forms.

If you do not see the $250 reported on your return, use the following steps to go back to that section and double-check your entry:

• On the top row of the TurboTax online screen, click on Search (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax locate the search box in the upper right corner)
• This opens a box where you can type in “educator expenses deduction” (be sure to enter exactly as shown here) and click the magnifying glass (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax, click Find)
• The search results will give you an option to “Jump to educator expenses deduction”
• Click on the blue “Jump to educator expenses deduction” link and enter your information

Finally, if the message onscreen was correct and the amount you entered did not transfer to your return, please come back and let us know.

[burtonfamily-sho]

Thank you for your clear reply. Unfortunately, my situation is indeed one where the info did not transfer properly to the 1040. 

[AnnetteB6]

If you would be willing to share a diagnostic copy of your tax file, it could be helpful to examine the situation in more detail.  The diagnostic file will not contain personal identifiable information, only numbers related to your tax forms.

To do so, follow the instructions below and post the token number along with which version of TurboTax you are using in a follow-up thread.

Use these steps if you are using TurboTax Online:

• Sign in to your account and be sure you are in your tax return.
• Select Tax Tools in the menu to the left.
• Select Tools.
• Select Share my file with agent.
• A pop-up message will appear, select OK to send the sanitized diagnostic copy to us.
• Post the token number here. 

If you are using a CD/downloaded version of TurboTax, use these steps:

• Select Online at the top of the screen.
• Select Send Tax File to Agent.
• Click OK.
• Post the token number here.

@burtonfamily-sho

[burtonfamily-sho]

Here is the token number: 918199

I appreciate your help.

[AnnetteB6]

Thank you for sharing your token number.  After taking a closer look at why you are not eligible to claim the educator expense deduction, it is due to other distributions shown on your return.

According to the guidance from the IRS regarding educator expense deductions, they are only deductible to the extent that they exceed 'any distribution from a qualified state tuition program that you exclude from income.'  On your return, the $250 educator expense does not exceed the amount reported as a non-taxable tuition program distribution.  

Try entering the total amount of educator expenses that you spent.  If the total amount exceeds the non-taxable tuition program distribution amount, then up to $250 would be deductible.  (I am not quoting the amount reported on your return for the portion of Form 1099-Q distributions deemed to be non-taxable since this is a public forum, but it is unlikely that you spent enough to be able to exceed the amount and claim the deduction in my opinion.  You are getting a greater tax benefit from having the distribution be non-taxable.)

For reference, here is a link to the IRS Topic No. 458 Educator Expense Deduction.

@burtonfamily-sho

[alcaptwo]

I have the same issue. I have 2 in college who received 1099-q's. They are the recipients and the distribution was sent directly to their college. No problems. However one of them lives off campus. The distribution was sent to me to pay for the off campus housing. That 1099-q lists me as the recipient and my child as the beneficiary and seems to be the issue. That seems to be where the number next to "non-taxable qualified tuition program distributions" comes from. Because of that I can't get the educator expense deduction. Is that correct? Even though I am not the one in college? If I change the recipient to my child then it allows the deduction. However, the check was made to me so I don't think that's correct. 

[xmasbaby0]

@alcaptwo It seems like you are confusing the educator expense deduction with college expenses.  The "educator expense" deduction is for teachers who spend at least 900 hours during the year teaching grades K-12 and who spend their own money for classroom supplies, etc.

[alcaptwo]

Yes, I am a teacher. However, when I enter my teacher expenses it says I don't qualify. When I go to the form view to see the "educator expenses worksheet" - it looks like the picture I've posted. The 6,950 is the withdrawal from my child's 529 for college housing. I understand that you don't qualify for the teacher expense deduction if you used "non-taxable qualified tuition program distributions" as that would be double dipping. I don't understand why my child's 529 withdrawal is counting against my educator expense.

[DaveF1006]

It may be because of how you reported the qualified tuition program distribution. To look at this in detail. we would like to see a diagnostic copy of your return. The information in this file is a sanitized copy meaning there is no personal information, only numbers so that we can troubleshoot in depth, check for calculation issues, and to see how certain items are applied. 

Here is how to order. 

For Turbo Tax online, go to tax tools>tools>share my file with agent.  When this is selected, you will receive a token number.  Respond back in this thread and tell us what that token number is. 

If you use the desktop version, go to the black stripe at the top of the program, click on online, and then select send tax file to agent. Let us know what the token number is.

@alcaptwo 

[alcaptwo]

Thank you for looking. My token is #1227974

[DaveF1006]

Yes, you are not allowed to claim an educator expense and report a non-taxable QTP distribution. the good news is, you do not need to report a 1099Q.  Publication 970 on page 45 states that "1099Q  distributions are tax free if they aren't more than the beneficiary's Adjusted Qualified Educational Expenses (AQEE) for the year. Don't report tax-free distributions (including qualifying rollovers) on your tax return".

Since this distribution is $15,880 for your 21-yr old and the educational expenses are $30,416, this does not need to be reported per IRS guidelines.  You can delete this entry from your return. 

You can now claim your educator credit.

[alcaptwo]

Thank you so much!!

[aarmidillo]

I am running into the same issue. I'm not sure TT is handling this situation correctly to give the best refund possible.  My daughter is a teacher with over $800 in expenses for her classroom but was in a graduate program last year with non taxable expenses paid for through a 529 of over $7000. She is not a dependent on my taxes. After entering the 1099-Q info, her expenses to attend college, and teacher expenses through the step by step, TT gave this same message about entering $0 in teacher expenses. She doesn't get the Educator Expenses adjustment.  As mentioned in previous comments I can remove the 1099-Q to get the Educator Expenses adjustment.  If I look at the forms that TT will submit to the IRS it doesn't submit the 1099-Q. So why doesn't TT ignore the 1099-Q automatically if it would give me a better refund instead of me manually removing it? I would never know to remove the 1099-Q if I didn't come on this site. 

[AmyC]

I can't speak for why the program works the way it does with so many tax laws to address. We are here to help you through it. You have found the best solution is to not enter the Q -since it isn't used.

@aarmidillo