Marking an Entry as "Estimated" DESKTOP VERSION

[jleeo]

I'm working on my 2021 return and am unable to mark preliminary entries as "estimated".  Nothing comes up at all with a right click on the Step by Step format and the "mark as estimated" is grayed out on the Forms format.  Am I missing a setup function?  This seems to be a rather important feature to be missing.

[Critter-3]

The downloaded program is still in it's infancy and is not fully functional yet ... a future update should fix this and they come in almost daily at this time.  Make sure to update your program often. 

And you should be working in the Step by Step mode not the FORMS mode ... entries in the forms mode will void the accuracy guarantee and will keep you from efiling.

If you are trying to do some tax planning then use the fully operational 2020 downloaded version instead. 

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:

• 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?
• What is-the-meaning-of-all-the-different-colors-in-forms-mode

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 shut off the auto updater function and save the return and .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:                             

• Retrieve a Tax File from a Portable Device
• What's the difference between the tax data file and the PDF file?

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 :

• 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?

AND protect the files :

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

*** 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.

[SteamTrain · Accepted solution]

Ohh...as long as you start over with a brand new file in January, when you start your real 2021 file, doing "estimates" is probably OK now.

I won't bother getting the desktop software until January, so I can't see what the 2021 software is doing...

...............but when in Forms Mode, make sure you only try the "Mark As Estimated" in fields that are yellow/tan. It isn't supposed to work in any (some/all?) black-on-white fields.

[Texas Roger]

Sometimes you need to go to the source document to mark as estimated or to override. For example, you can't mark the income on form 1040 as estimated but you can mark the income on form W-2 as estimated. 

[Mike9241]

@Critter-3  I believe you are wrong. use of forms mode in and of itself does not void the accuracy guarantee only overrides do. just like in the step-by-step mode.

so if I enter interest income through a 1099-INT worksheet that's fine. if I enter the interest directly on form 1040 that's an override that voids the guarantee.

[jleeo]

Thanks very much - I was hoping and thought that to be the case.

[jleeo]

"Champ"  - I think you are correct.  I recall entering some items in forms mode at times, particularly in the course of resolving "errors" at the tail end before submitting the filing.  I don't think the program cares where the data entry originates - they all end up as forms eventually. 

[Anonymous_]

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@Mike9241 wrote:

.....use of forms mode in and of itself does not void the accuracy guarantee only overrides do.

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That is the way the accuracy guarantee has worked for as long as I can recall.

[Critter-3]

1. TurboTax Accurate Calculation Guarantee.
   
   
   • Intuit works to ensure the accuracy of the calculations on every form prepared using the Software. If you are a registered user who has updated your copy of the Software with the most recent update available prior to filing your return and reviewed your return for reasonableness and you pay an IRS or state penalty and/or interest solely because of a calculation error on a form prepared using the Software, and not as a result of, among other things, your failure to enter all required information accurately, willful or fraudulent omission or inclusion of information on your tax return, misclassification of information on the tax return, or failure to file an amended return to avoid or reduce an applicable penalty/interest after Intuit announced updates or corrections to the Software in time for you to file an amended return, then Intuit will pay you in the amount of the IRS or state penalty and/or interest paid by you to the IRS or state. (A "registered user" is a user who either registers his/her Software license purchase with Intuit, or has purchased a license to use Software directly from Intuit). 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 Software interview guidance. You are responsible for paying any additional tax liability you may owe and providing any other information Intuit reasonably requests to validate your claim. Additional details at: turbotax.com.

The above paragraph  is from the TT contract ... when you send in an accuracy guarantee claim the TT auditor looks up the return you sent and they can see (by use of the aforementioned color coding) if you made a direct forms entry to complete the return ... that alone will void the guarantee.   When I worked as a TT tax expert I was told that there were only 2 people at TT handling these claims because 98% of the claims could be dismissed in one minute and be dismissed.  

[Anonymous_]

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@Critter-3 wrote:
....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 Software interview guidance.....

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Well, that is not good. 

So much for suggesting that users can get by with a lower CD/Download version of TurboTax since each version contains all of the forms.

[Critter-3]

@Anonymous_ 

Of course you can always use the lower version as all the versions can handle all the same forms.  Again when I was a TT expert I had access to all the different versions and was able to work in all of them ... believe me they have the same innards ... the only difference is in the interview screens ... what is normally hidden in blue "learn more" links are instead several extra pages in the interview.   I found the H&B version extremely clumsy and onerous  but for the DIY uneducated user (in tax law) needed and helpful.  I usually tell folks to start cheep and upgrade only if they feel the need to do so. 

Now there are a few items that TT doesn't handle in the interview that require an override in the forms mode but unless you are instructed by  TT personnel  and they have a note of this instruction in your account file the accuracy guarantee is voided.  A DIY program doesn't fit everyone and never will ... using a DIY program comes with it's own risks and rewards ... the user assumes the responsibility when they DIY.     

[Anonymous_]

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@Critter-3 wrote:

Of course you can always use the lower version as all the versions can handle all the same forms. 

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@Critter-3 I understand but if using the lower version requires entry on forms, then the accuracy guarantee is void. The language (in red) that you quoted in your post states that explicitly.

[Critter-3]

If you have to make an entry in the forms mode then it will have to be made in every downloaded program across the board. Again the internal workings for all the downloaded programs work exactly the same the only difference is in  the look of the interview screens.

[Anonymous_]

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@Critter-3 wrote:

If you have to make an entry in the forms mode then it will have to be made in every downloaded program across the board.

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I get that but, again, if you make any entry in Forms Mode, the accuracy guarantee is void according to the language you quoted. 

The accuracy guarantee is only applicable to entries made in the interview screens per the language in the license agreement.

[Anonymous_]

@Critter-3 

I also have to add that, with respect to TurboTax Business, there are most likely precious few returns that can be completed entirely in Step-by-Step (Interview) Mode. I am not sure how Intuit squares that fact with the, rather limited, accuracy guarantee.