A payment I constructively received in 2018 was included on client's 2017 1099-MISC. How do I adjust the 2017 income in TurboTax, to shift income to 2018 tax year?

[KittyM · Accepted solution]

Here's what you do:

After you enter your 1099-MISC, TurboTax will ask if you have any other additional income.  Say yes.  If you have already entered your 1099 and are coming back to the interview, just choose the second radio button "Add income for this work."  Then there are 4 radio buttons, one of which is 'Other self-employed income. Includes 1099-K, cash, and checks.'  

Choose this one, then enter an explanation such as "Income reported on 2017 Form 1099 but received in 2018" and enter as a negative number.  (The minus sign goes in front, or the software will complain at you.)

This will correct your income and let the IRS know why you're doing it.

[dave06001]

I had a similar issue i.e. income for my wife's consulting business that was due November and December 2018 and a check was not even put into the mail by client until February of the following year (2019).  Was not sure how to do this since client already included in the 1099 and this helped clarify how to do the entries in TurboTax. Thanks TaxKitty!