Bug in form 8801 line 22 (2023)

[digitalsimulacra]

I have found a bug in line 22 of form 8801 for 2023 (using TurboTax Premier for Mac, updated today, if it makes a difference):

The amount automatically entered by TurboTax on line 22 is not subtracting the credit on line 5b of Schedule 3. When I double-click on the amount in line 22 of form 8801, it takes me to line 8b on Schedule 3, but the numbers don't match.

If I override the number with the correct amount, TurboTax won't let me e-file. It doesn't change the amount of my refund, but I don't want to submit an incorrect form, and if the IRS checks the amount in line 22 against Schedule 3 line 5b, they will also see that it doesn't match, and may reject my return.

The instructions for Form 8801 say that lines 1-6z (except 6b and 6k) of Schedule 3 should be subtracted, which would include line 5b:

Line 22

Follow the instructions below and refer to your 2023 income tax
return to figure the amount to enter on line 22.

Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR. Add the amounts from
Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR, line 16 and Schedule 2 (Form
1040), line 2. Subtract from the result the total of any credits from
Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR, line 19 and Schedule 3 (Form
1040), lines 1 through 6z (not including any credit for prior year
minimum tax on line 6b or any credit claimed on Form 8912,
Credit to Holders of Tax Credit Bonds, on line 6k). Enter the
result. If the result is zero or less, enter -0-.

[digitalsimulacra]

Is there any way to bring this issue to the attention of someone at Intuit? If I'm going to have to manually enter and check all the form data, print the forms, and mail them to the IRS, I'm not really sure why I'm paying for TurboTax anymore.

[digitalsimulacra]

I'd love to get a response from someone, even if it's "actually you're wrong about there being a bug and here's why" (although the instructions seem pretty clear to me, and double-clicking the field takes me to a field on another form with a different value in it).

[digitalsimulacra]

I just installed this week's updates and I see that the problem persists. How can I get this addressed in next week's update?

[digitalsimulacra]

Still nothing? I can't be the only one with a credit on Schedule 3 Line 5b who also needs form 8801 this year, can I? I would encourage anyone else who is claiming the "Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit" this year and has paid AMT in the past to double-check their form 8801.  Is your line 22 correct (i.e. does it match Schedule 3 line 8b)? And if you already e-filed, was your return accepted?

[AnnetteB6]

To look into this further and submit it to the appropriate team for possible correction, it would be beneficial to have a diagnostic copy of an actual user's tax return in order for the change to be considered.  You can help by providing that diagnostic tax file.

The diagnostic file will not contain personally identifiable information, only numbers related to your tax forms.  If you would like to provide us with the diagnostic file, follow the instructions below and post the token number in a follow-up thread.

Since you are using a Mac version of TurboTax, go to Help.  Then select Send File to TurboTax Agent.  This should generate your token number.

@digitalsimulacra 

[digitalsimulacra]

@AnnetteB6 Thanks for replying. My token number is 1186347.

[digitalsimulacra]

Looks like the bug is still there after this week's update.

[digitalsimulacra]

Installed more updates today and I'm still seeing the bug.

[digitalsimulacra]

I installed today's updates and I'm still seeing the error on form 8801, line 22.

 @AnnetteB6 did you see my post from 2 weeks ago where I shared my token number, 1186347?

[digitalsimulacra]

@AnnetteB6 Any updates? The bug is still preventing me from e-filing. I'm going to have to just file by mail pretty soon.

[AnnetteB6]

Thank you for sharing your token number and data file.  With that information, the issue has been reported and accepted to be fixed.  Take a look at the following TurboTax help article and use the link to register your email address so that you will be notified with updates to the situation.  

Why is IRS Form 8801 Line 22 calculating incorrectly?

@digitalsimulacra 
 

[digitalsimulacra]

Well, there was no fix in last Thursday's updates, so I filed by mail. Unfortunately TurboTax charged me $25 to e-file my state return before telling me that I could not e-file because of the bug in form 8801. I was not aware that I had to e-file my federal return in order to be allowed to e-file my state return, so now I've spent $25 on an e-filing fee that I can never use. How can I get that refunded @AnnetteB6 ?

This whole experience has me convinced that I'm better off using a different software package (or nothing at all!) next year, after something like 20 years of using TurboTax to file my taxes. The ONE THING I counted on TurboTax for was accuracy, but now I know I actually have a better understanding of how to fill out the forms than TurboTax does.

[CatinaT1]

Here is a link: How do I request a refund for my TurboTax product?