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Level 2
February 1, 2022
Question

2021 TurboTax program updates

  • February 1, 2022
  • 7 replies
  • 20 views

Is it just me or is Intuit issuing a lot less program updates this year compared to previous years?  Can't tell if they are very short on staff or just can't be bothered to issue updates to the Basic version.  In previous years it seemed like they were pushing an update out almost every day this time of year (this is my first year of using the Basic version, previous years have been the higher versions).  This year you are lucky to see an update every couple of weeks.

 

This is frustrating as there is a programming error in the Basic version (line 12c of the 1040-SR) that I brought up in a different post.  My taxes are done but I can't file because of the TurboTax programming error.  Don't know if I need to try buying a higher version of TurboTax (where they might not have the problem or have fixed it) or just buy another company's program and stop wasting my time with TurboTax.

7 replies

DoninGA
Level 15
Level 15
February 1, 2022

TurboTax updates their software on a regular basis usually on Thursday of each week.

You can view the software releases you received by clicking on Online and then click on View Installed Updates.

 

 

Level 2
March 29, 2022

TurboTax refused to send in my return because of the lack of an updated version. It tells me to go to the Online menu and click on Check for Updates. Where do I find the Online menu to click on it? I can't find it anywhere in the TurboTax return I have been working on. In times past one of the things TurboTax did right at the end was to check for updates for me but my TurboTax Premier doesn't have that. I am extremely frustrated!

Level 13
March 29, 2022

Sorry for the frustration; the online menu should be displayed near the top of the page and should give you an option to check for updates. If you are not seeing this for whatever reason, you may try the manual update @runaway.

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Level 15
February 1, 2022

Please reach out to TurboTax Customer Support as your issue would be best resolved with one-on-one support.

What is the TurboTax phone number?

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max643Author
Level 2
February 1, 2022

I called the customer support line the other day.  I talked to a very nice lady who barely spoke english.  She said she was ready to help me figure out my taxes but really had nothing to do with the programming side.  She did say she would let her supervisor know there was a problem.  Looking through other comments/questions it is clear that this problem exists in all versions of the program.

Level 2
February 3, 2022

I have problems with the $300 charity deduction as turbo does not recognize it. Still keeps the $ 150 from last year. Also line 12c is not adding on the hard copy to mail to IRS. very displeased with their failure.

DoninGA
Level 15
Level 15
February 3, 2022

@ed1938 wrote:

I have problems with the $300 charity deduction as turbo does not recognize it. Still keeps the $ 150 from last year. Also line 12c is not adding on the hard copy to mail to IRS. very displeased with their failure.


For the TurboTax desktop editions -

 

To remove the error I went into Forms mode and deleted the Charitable Organization Worksheet.  Then on the Form 1040 Worksheet for Line 12b removed the $300 amount so Line 12b is now blank (empty).

Going back to Step-by-Step I completed the Deductions & Credits section without entering anything for a charitable donation and click on Done with Deductions.  Continuing through the screens until landing on the screen labeled Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act, I entered $600.  Continued through Final Review without error.

 

For the TurboTax online editions -

 

The problem appears to be that a charitable donation was entered in the Deductions and Credits section of the program when you are only eligible for the Standard Deduction.

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

Click on Tools

Click on Delete a form

Scroll through the all the forms, schedules and worksheets listed and delete all the Charitable Organization forms listed.

When completed with removing forms click on Continue With My Return at the bottom of the list.

 

Click on Federal on the left side of the screen

Click on Deductions & Credits at the top of the screen

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Wrap up tax breaks

 

Continue through the screens.  After the screen showing that you are getting the Standard Deduction the following screen is Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act.  Enter $600 if filing Jointly or $300 for all other filing status'.  The federal review and the Final Review should no longer show an error for the charitable donation.

Level 2
February 4, 2022

Thank you for the prompt and almost 100% favorable solution. Yes the error got fixed, it was in the wrong schedule. However still line 12c does not add lines 12a and 12b in the hard copy to file w/IRS. have to do it by pen ??? Thanks

Level 3
February 7, 2022

I have same issue using premier version. I am very disappointed this with this year's version. Very unacceptable. 

Level 2
March 12, 2022

Agreed.  Turbo Tax Premiere 2021 is unacceptable.  My grandson did his very simple standard deduction return and filed electronically.  It  rejected twice due to invalid IP PIN.  He was not issued an IP PIN by IRS and Turbo Tax did not ask him to enter an IP PIN.  It did ask him to create a PIN, which he did.  Contacting  IRS is another nightmare, so he'll be mailing his return.  He'd like a refund of the $20 filing fee.

 

I have very little confidence in TurboTax and will not use in 2022,

Level 10
March 12, 2022

We do not have access to his account in this public forum. Please feel free to have him contact Customer Support so they can assist him. If he inquires about a refund, he will want to use the keywords billing issues when he calls so he gets to the right person.

@paparcc

March 2, 2022

I think I have a similar problem with Turbotax Standard 2021where I can't get anyone to resolve my problem. I belive that there is an error in the online downloaded program I purcahsed in Dec 2021. The program will not create a proper PDF because when you go to print there are images on top of each other and thus the printed PDF is not readable. Also when you go to just print a 2 page schedule it prints off 36 pages. I have contacted support 4 times with the problem, to no avail.

I have asked them to kick it up to the program tech's but no response so far.

The saving grace is that a have a Studio Tax program that works great, but do not want to leave TT after 15 years.

 

Level 14
March 3, 2022

You may need to contact customer service directly for assistance. Please see the following information here for more details. 

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Level 2
March 8, 2022

I installed the business turbo tax program and have started 2 tax returns.  I am trying to open again to add more information and it opens with lets update.  I say update and I receive an error message #1603.  It will not let me return to the started returns.  Please help.  What is the problem???

Level 15
March 9, 2022

This error is one that can be fixed, but requires a bit of explanation. It would be best to contact us by phone by following the instructions here. @Marlee22

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Level 2
April 3, 2022

Program Update:  Failed to install update.  Microsoft Installer error:  1603, Fatal error during installation

1st call:  Woman asked my email three times.   Then said "Is there something else I can help you with before forwarding?"   

Forwarded to a guy who tried to install "Glance" to help.   Hung up on me.

Back to square one.

This used to be a good program and one that I have used for years.  Unfortunately the program and customer service is terrible now.  

Last year for me.

Level 2
November 7, 2022

I LOST MY CD , DONT HAVE A COPY OF INCOME TAX FOR 2021. I THOUGHT YOU KEPT A  RECORD  AND FOUND OUT , ONLY IF YOU DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE AND FILE THAT WAY. I ORDER A COPY FROM IRS. THEY WANT ME TO REFILE SCHEDULE E. I THOUGHT WHEN I DID THE TURBOTAX, CHECK IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT THE ERROR!!

Critter-3
Level 15
November 8, 2022

If you use the downloaded/CD version of the program ONLY YOU have a copy of the return even if you efiled it ... TT doesn't keep a copy of the return.   It is your responsibility to save the .tax file and PDF of the return.

 

 

This is my mini version of  a tutorial  that should be in the downloaded program: 

 

 

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

                  

Related Information:

                             

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

  • >>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy
  • 1.  Open your return in TurboTax. 
  • 2.  From the File menu, choose Save As. 
  • 3.  Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name). 
  • 4. Click  Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original. 
  •  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

                        

  • >>  use the WHAT IF tool: 
  • - Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view) 
  • - Click on the Open Form Icon 
  • - In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form 
  • - You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form 
  • - To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

 

Once you have filed successfully … you can shut off the auto updater function and then save the return &  .taxfile.

                    

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

  1. From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
  2. Browse to where you want to save your backup.
    • Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
  3. In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
  4. Click Save and then close TurboTax.
  5. Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:                             

 

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

AND protect the files :

 

*** Other clues to the downloaded program ***

 

In the forms mode ... double click  or right click on a box on a form to data source it ... sadly it doesn't work on all boxes. 

 

What's the meaning of all the different colors in Forms Mode?

When you look at an onscreen tax form using Forms Mode, you might wonder why one figure is blue and the one next to it is red or black.

These colors indicate the source of that data.

Color

 Meaning

Blue

You entered this data, either in the interview or Forms Mode.

Black

The program entered this data or calculated this amount.

Red

This data has either been overridden or is invalid (for example, a ZIP code that doesn't exist).

Red italics

You marked this amount as estimated.

Black italics

The program calculated this amount from an amount you marked as estimated.

Purple

This information has supporting details.

Aquamarine

This data was transferred over from last year.

Green

This data was imported from Quicken or QuickBooks.

Yellow fields (Windows)

Yellow fields allow user input. Anything you enter here shows up in blue.