Entered the same child & dependent care expenses for federal & state (virginia) but get Code 101 error that says I'm putting more $ down for state then fed. I'm not. thx

[cavemanmatt]

I have triple checked and am entering in the same amount for federal and state.  I can't get past this "Check this entry" error.  Code 101-Amount.  Taxpayer and spouse total cannot be greater than the total expenses reported on the federal return.   I'm 100% confident it is not.  I don't know what is wrong.  Thank you for your help

[bubba_k8]

I am getting the same error, what is the solution?

[rk1729]

I am getting the same error. Appreciate if anyone could share a solution.

[cairo_jennings]

I am getting this same error on my VA return for 2022 tax filing.  Has Turbotax addressed?

[BillM223]

What are the amounts for each provider of child care entered on the federal return, and what are the amounts as split between the spouses as entered on the state return?

Please be sure to include decimal places if that is what you entered in any place, even if TurboTax rounded it up or down.

[sthornelo]

Yeah, that's not the problem.  I've gone back and redone my Federal Numbers and my State Numbers, they are equal but this error is still coming up.  Even if I adjust it to LESS than Federal, it still gives this error.  There are no decimal issues.

[HopeS]

Please clarify your question. Are were you able to correct and file your return?

[milesology]

I ran into this same thing while doing my 2022 taxes

Realized the issue was that, for the state, I was entering in the true amount that I paid for dependent care Expense. However, the amount entered is expected to be the amount you actually spent, but the amount you were credited for. 

When entering the dependent Expense for the State. Make note of the sentence below that may appear on your screen as I believe it indicates the amount expected to be entered.

“Your eligible dependent care expenses are $XXXX for 2022.”

[andre27]

This was frustrating, but looking up the actual IRS Form 2441 for Child and Dependent Care Expenses was helpful. 

On that form it makes clear that the max number you can enter for childcare expenses is NOT what you actually paid, it's the max allowable per the # of dependents you have (for 2022 it's $3k for 1 kid, $6k for 2+).

In my case, I also had to subtract child care dollars that were already paid pre-tax (through employer account), and this arrived at the "true" cost number that TurboTax wants to see.