2016 TT Discrepancies with Pre-filed 1040

[Bitsy]

Can I customize figures on 2016 f1040 in TT? Accurate entries cause $4 off bottom line of already-filed form.  Prepping only to file amendment, already paid previously filed amount.  Do I explain discrepancy on amended return? or ignore and proceed with amend?  Future complications foreseen?

[macuser_22]

Discrepancies with what?   Where do you see a difference and what are you comparing with?  What lines?

[Bitsy]

$1 off on line 74, because we rounded payments differently.  And line 46 is $3 off, based on line 27 of form 8962, where I think TT also rounded differently which affected results of the complex formula.  TT benefitted me more than I did, but I would rather get it to match, not knowing how it will affect the amendment or future returns.

Just brainstorming.... Since I won't be filing any forms entered in TT until I do the amendment,  can I alter the data to make these results match my previous form, or "inform" TT that I paid $4 extra, or just go with their amount and explain minor differences on the amended return? Or is there a way to make TT round figures differently?  I sure appreciate good advice.

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

Line 74 is simply adding lines 64-73 each of which is already rounded to the nearest dollar per IRS rules so line 74 is not rounded at all.

The 8962 rounding was an issue in 2016 since each month was rounded prior to adding instead of adding first and then rounding.   The workaround for that was to adjust the monthly amounts entries so that the totals are correct taking into account that TurboTax rounds first and then adds instead of the other way around.

[Bitsy]

Right, really should have said line 64 instead of 74.  So, it doesn't really hurt anything to mis-enter my data in order to get the matching totals?   

On my original f8962, I only listed yearly totals on line 11 since all the monthly totals were the same.  Is there a way to do that in TT instead of filling in each month?  I don't recall the interview process of entering data allowing that, and I wasn't able to change it in forms mode, unless I missed something?

BTW I didn't file the state form when I originally filed the fed.  Assuming I should  get the amended stuff done first and then do state?

Anxious to get this stuff caught up, TIA!

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

Again line 64 is the total of W-2 and 1099 withholding that comes from the Tax Payments Worksheet line 20 that is adding lines 10-19 each of which is a whole number that has been rounded to the nearest dollar per IRS instructions.   There is no problem if it is not the same if you add it yourself without rounding.

It is not anything that I would worry about at all.  The IRS usually ignores any errors do to rounding and would not  bother for $4.00.    The postage to amend (with tracking as all mail to the IRS should have) would cost much more than any additional tax or refund. 

Any math errors that the IRS might find on a 2016 tax return would have already resulted in an IRS letter.

[Bitsy]

Thanks for clarifying!  I'm amending due to a missed $2000 HSA contribution made last minute in 2017 - account holder indicated it was too late to get in for 2016 so filed without it, then noticed much later on 5498-SA that it did count for 2016.  Worth it for a few hundred in my favor. 

New to TT, thanks for the help, seems to be little details that stall me - I'll get better!