Here is a tip: How to change the expected tax withholding used in calculating 1040-ES and/or IL-1040-ES

[TaxHacks]

This is a tip-- not a question. I could not find how to enter a solved description. I could find how to enter a question. This is the REVISED version in 2024 version from the 2019 original.

Federal:
In Estimated Tax Payment Options; Amount of Estimated Taxes to Pay in [next tax year], cannot be directly written without override. However no override needed. Go to the ES & W4 Wks, select the "By making estimated tax payments" box, and enter the expected withholding into the first value box on the right.

Illinois: Fill in Part V line 4 column 2 of Estimated tax worksheet.

In searching for how, before I came to my conclusion, I checked this similar thread.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4713863-how-do-i-change-the-expected-withholding-for-2019-in-estim...

I am not sure how to do these things in the step-by-step mode, as discussed farther down the thread.

[Critter]

FYI ... there are no errors because the estimated payment section is not part of your tax return ... those are worksheets for your use only.

[TaxHacks]

Thanks for the thought.  The worksheet data is used to generate the 1040-ES forms, which are made to be mailed.

I am glad it did not show the override as an Error, but I would think an override should not have been needed. It must be pretty common for people to expect withholding for next year would be different.

[Critter]

In the step by step mode ... in the estimated payments section ... not sure how you skipped this screen ... no overrides are required. 

[TaxHacks]

I did make it there once. Entered my number, but somehow it did not seem to have stuck. When I tried that path again, I did not get there. I know when I got there, there were several choices, and probably one of my clicks got me out of that path.

When I did not make it, I was in the process of trying to record the path... I then gave up on trying to document the path. If somebody can describe the path, I could try that, and for sure somebody else would find that helpful.

[Critter]

Since you have the downloaded program  you can try some test returns so you don't mess up the real filed one ... see answer below....

[TaxHacks]

Yes, making test files is useful. This time I did a save-as under a new name, and tried my method. It seemed to do the job, so I did not revert back to the earlier file I had saved.

A friend was asking about the TT guarantee. I read <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://turbotax.intuit.com/corp/license/desktop.jsp">https://turbotax.intuit.com/corp/license/deskt...> I wonder how this sentence gets interpreted:
"The Accurate Calculation Guarantee does not apply to tax forms completed in which the data is entered directly by you onto the form, rather than through the use of the in-product TurboTax interview guidance. "

[Critter]

The estimated payment section for the next tax year is NOT part of the current  tax return you file so it is not covered by the accuracy guarantee nor does overrides in this section keep you from efiling the actual return.

[Critter]

This is my mini version of the downloaded 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:

·         Why would I use Forms Mode?

·         How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Windows software?

·         How do I switch to Forms Mode in the TurboTax for Mac software?

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

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.

o    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:                             

·         Retrieve a Tax File from a Portable Device

·         What's the difference between the tax data file and the PDF file?

·         How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Windows?

·         How do I save my return as a PDF in the TurboTax software for Mac?

·         How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

GEN85508

Answered by  TurboTax FAQ  to  this question

[TaxHacks]

I tried for 2023 taxes to enter 2024. I know the Critter answer above was for 2018 taxes, but I wondered what existed for Turbotax 2023. Going from "How I missed it"... so started with Show Topic List". I continued thru and on maybe the 10th item, I saw "Enter your 2024 W-2 Wage Information. I could have clicked "Add a W-2" and entered my number for 2024 I presume. Is that the best way that you know of? If you know a better way, how would I get to that? Like what to click or enter into Search. 

I will probably go with the forms override, but I expect there are others who are not really comfortable with that method. So my original post on the thread would still be my current recommendation to others unless there is a better way for those who avoid forms mode. So for now, except that it has old year numbers, that post is timeless... but it appears to be an answer to a question that nobody else is asking.

Your forms mode tutorial is very good, but I am actually very comfortable to forms mode... except when there is a box I cannot change without overriding. Often I can get to the worksheet that comes from by double-clicking the box or looking at the "Data Source".

And finally, GOOD NEWS... I repeated looking at "Data Source" and I FOUND the first value box on the ES & W4 Wks is "By making estimated payments. If estimated payments....:  don't know how I missed it... I am inspired to either modify my original post or to make a new post.