I had to pay back more unemployment than I received for 2016, how do I enter this?

[foothillgirl]

Because of a change in the way seasonal road construction workers can claim unemployment benefits, I had to pay back all of what I received for the first part of 2016 and part of what I received for 2015 (Total compensation for 2016 was $2,501., the total amount paid back was $3,674).  I'm unsure of how to enter this in TurboTax since it was for 2015 & 2016.

[PatriciaR]

Here is how to enter the Unemployment Compensation you repaid for 2015 and 2016:

• Sign into your TurboTax account and select Take me to my return
• Select Federal Taxes (top of program)
• Select Wages & Income (sub tab under Federal Taxes)
• Select Unemployment and paid family leave (1099-G) Start or Edit/Add
• While entering the Unemployment Compensation received, you will see "Did you pay back any of your 2016 unemployment benefits?" (click on screenshot below for details) Answer Yes

There is a "Note" below that question that reads "If you repaid benefits that you received in 2015...We'll cover that later."

After you have entered the benefits received and repaid for 2016, the next page will ask about whether you repaid any benefits in 2015 (click on 2nd screenshot below for details).  This is where you will enter the amounts repaid for 2015.

[pjones21]

What if...

Unemployment compensation was charged payback in 2019. I disputed.  Against my wishes, they garnished it from my 2020 return, in other words, just a few weeks ago, in the year 2021, to be technical.

Update:  I am still disputing this "repayment," if you can call it that.  

I am only now completing my 2019 return.  Do I enter this "repayment" there, or not?  Note:  no "repayment" occurred until 2021, and it remains in dispute.

Thanks, 

Paul Jones

[fanfare]

If you include the disputed amount for 2019, and win your dispute, you will be finished. Do you expect to win?

If don't win your dispute, you will have to amend your 2019 return to show less unemployment compensation.