2021 TT bugs, User Errors, or Tax Law changes?

[RayBills]

I just downloaded the 2021 TT Deluxe and an not sure if what I am seeing is a software bug or a change in the Tax law effective TY 2021.

#1. I entered data that created need for Excess APTC repayment on line 29, Part III form 8962.  I know that for tax year 2020 this repayment was waived as part of the Covid Tax Relief, but I was under the impression that the repayment was being reinstated for TY 2021.  Yet the software I downloaded still does not reflect that reinstatement.  Bug, User Error, or Tax law staying the same for 2021 as it was in 2020?

#2. I have a Cap Loss Carryfwd from last year and have had for many years and in previous versions of TT it automatically puts the 3k writeoff on line 7 of 1040.  This year it does not.  I see the carry shown on the worksheet, but it does not make it to the main form.  Bug, User Error, or Tax Law change?

[VolvoGirl]

2021 program just came out. There will be many many updates to come.  

Regarding the Capital Loss Carryover,  Have you entered any current year sales yet?  The carry over loss is first netted against all your sales and then if you still have a net loss you can only deduct 3,000 per year.  So if you have a lot of gains it will use up your carryover loss.  And be sure you are looking on the right lines.  The line numbers have been changing each year now.  Don't know if it will be in the same place for 2021.  You can switch to FORMS mode to see the actual forms.   Where on the worksheet are you seeing it?  

[Mike9241]

what you downloaded was probably a beta version for 2021.  this would be based mostly on 2020 tax laws with few if any updates for changes in the laws for 2021.  the early release is a marketing ploy so you buy TT rather than a competing product. it likely won't be until sometime in January 2022 that the program is compatible with the 2021 laws. if law changes are passed in 2022 affecting 2021 it will be much later like what happened in 2020 when millions filed before software apps could be updated to reflect the UC exemption and the waving of repayment of excess Obamacare credits, etc.

[Critter-3]

Even though the downloaded program comes out sometime in November each year it is only a beta version which will not be fully operational until  late January at the earliest (much later for some forms and the state programs).  Efiling will not be open until late January at best so do not be in a rush to file.

Same with the Online version which becomes functional sometime in December. 

 http://taxpreparationsoftware.com/

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

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?

[gebirg137]

Unrelated bug - just tried installing TT Deluxe 2021 (on Windows 10) and upon completion of installation it tells me it is unable to:

• Access the internet for updates
• Verify the license key because it (again) can't see the internet

I, of course, have access to the internet or I wouldn't have been able to download the installer.  It recommended I temporarily turn off all malware and virus checkers (which I did - generally, a VERY dangerous thing to ask its users to do) and it still operated under off-line conditions, not getting beyond the initial splash screen. Tried even uninstalling and fully re-installing the software - same exact problem.

I've been using TurboTax for close to 20 years, on both Macs and PC's and I have NEVER run into this kind of problem before.  Is this another beta thing?  Why would software be deployed into the wild that can't even do a simple thing like access the web for self-updating?  Very strange.  Any information appreciated, thank you.

[Critter-3]

Try uninstalling and then installing again ... get a fresh installation file too. 

[gebirg137]

Sorry - just updated my original post to mention I did this as well, even down to a fresh new download (forgot to mention earlier).  Uninstalled and reinstalled and rebooted - still broken.

[Anonymous_]

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@gebirg137 wrote:

Sorry - just updated my original post to mention I did this as well, even down to a fresh new download (forgot to mention earlier).  Uninstalled and reinstalled and rebooted - still broken.

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Contact Support via the link below. If this were a widespread issue, we would be seeing a lot more complaints about it.

What is the TurboTax phone number? (intuit.com)

[AKJeff]

Regarding the response from what appears to be a Turbo Tax support technician "If this were a widespread issue, we would be seeing a lot more complaints about it" :  That is a very sub-par and frankly un-enlightened response.  Your company frankly makes it nearly impossible to communicate legitimate program bugs to those with the knowledge to 1) understand that what the customer is seeing is indeed a bug and 2) to know who in your company can fix it.  Note that the best companies put the customer in touch (easily) with the folks that can actually fix the problem, but I would gladly settle for being in touch with someone who knows who/where to pass along my problem to.  

In 2020 I spent over a day trying to fix a bug with the real estate sales reporting, to no avail.  I ended up 'tricking' the program using forms view (i.e. I figured out a workaround when at least 4 of the TurboTax techs could not, let alone actually fixing the problem).

Today (2/11/22) I tried to finish my taxes, and the program (Guide Me mode) got stuck in an endless "Do-Loop" after entering my investment sales.  After clicking on "done", it then asked about 2020 loss carryovers, Section 1256, etc., then went right back to the investment sales summary where I could click "done" again.  It appears I could spend eternity in this loop but think I found a way out via (again), Forms View.  Hopefully it doesn't cause me to miss anything...and, a major reason for buying TurboTax is to help simplify/guide the user through the various forms gates.  It does appear that the program quality continues to deteriorate every year (for the last 3 years at least). 

I'll place my customer service call tomorrow to report this bug, but it would be helpful if any/all of the tech support folks who monitor this Group Discuss actually load a copy of the program and try to emulate the problems reported.  Last year, I found that they were working on a non-public version/platform, and when I encouraged them to run a copy on a regular PC/version that their customer base uses they acknowledged the problem, but never fixed it.

It will be interesting to see if TT/Intuit fixes this particular bug this year.  If not, it's apparent that their programming/QC is deteriorating due to a lack of commitment to quality and customer service by their management.  That, to me, is a clear signal it's time to influence things with my future purchasing choices.

[Anonymous_]

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@AKJeff wrote:

Regarding the response from what appears to be a Turbo Tax support technician "If this were a widespread issue, we would be seeing a lot more complaints about it" :  That is a very sub-par and frankly un-enlightened response. 

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There, indeed, are a lot of bugs and issues with the software; no doubt about that.

However, over the years, many complaints have turned out to be either user error or some form of file corruption issue and not bugs in the software.

Moreover, users need to be aware that the software does not cover every tax scenario.