In TurboTax, why is there a difference in form 1040 lines 34 & 35a when there are no other lines affected?

[user17644336202]

In form 1040, Turbotax shows different amounts between line 34 (amount overpaid) and 35a (amount "you want refunded to you").

Why is there a difference when there are no penalties or amount applied to 2026.

Also, I look at past fillings and I realized there is always a difference in "math" between tax amount, tax paid and what is owe or refunded.  Where is this difference going?

I want the overdue refunded.  What am I missing? 

Thank you for your help.

[MonikaK1 · Accepted solution]

Line 34 of your Form 1040 is the amount you overpaid - for example, the amount by which your withholding and estimated taxes exceeds your tax: the amount by which Line 33 exceeds Line 24.

Line 35a may or may not be the same as Line 34, depending on whether you chose to apply part of your refund to next year's taxes or another liability, or if there is a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. Go to Other Tax Situations and review the Underpayment Penalty just in case - it's possible in some cases for the penalty to apply even if you have a refund.

If you are using TurboTax Online, you can still preview your return before filing to find out how your taxes were calculated. See here for details. You can also view the Tax Summary under Tools on the left-side menu in TurboTax Online.

[user17644336202]

That was it!

Thank you!

[user17644336202]

Also, your comment regarding “go to Other Tax Situations and review the Underpayment Penalty just in case - it's possible in some cases for the penalty to apply even if you have a refund” is something we should ALL  review BEFORE submitting our taxes!

Again, thank you!