Form 1040 Line 12b shows unacceptable value

[cbhunt7]

The workaround does not work for me as I need to retain my Charitable Deductions entries since I am claiming the Standard Deduction for Federal and itemized deductions for Arizona state. When I change line 12 B to $600, it switches back to $300 when I get ready to e-file my Federal.

When will this software bug be fixed by the Intuit folks and pushed out in a TurboTax Deluxe software update???? 

[Anonymous]

I agree - I have similar situation - only difference is my state is Alabama --- 

Infuriating - may bail on TurboTax is this is not resolved soon.

[dmjj3346]

I was able to change to $600 and efile in the online edition.  I deleted the 300, software chanaged it to 0, I deleted all content in cell 12b and entered the $600.  Software kept the standard deduction and saved to $600 in 12b.  My refund amount returned to the correct amount and allowed me to efile with no errors, so looks like it is correct.

[taxpayerincolorado]

@johnruthpro Were you able to submit your taxes after doing this?

[johnruthpro]

I haven't tried yet.  I'm giving turbotax till the end of the month to fix the problem.  Then I'll try to efile.

[kirok63]

Funny you should ask.  This did resolve line 12b the error for me, but I've since submitted my own post about not being able to e-file because of yet another issue that turned out to be specific to e-filing Rhode Island (RI) tax returns.

RI's tax structure is relatively simple, and I don't have differences in deductions vs. my federal return.  This "solution" will not work for people who take the standard deduction on their federal tax filings but take itemized deductions on their state tax filings.  A real solution is needed, meaning the software programming needs to be corrected.

[johnruthpro]

I agree and it seems as simple as using an "if then" statement but I haven't done programing in over 10 years.

[cbhunt7]

Well, I went ahead and performed the work around by manually entering the $600 on Line 12B in both the entry window and in the form shown in the error reporting window that appears when TurboTax Deluxe runs the final returns analysis. After making the correction, I made sure to avoid running another returns analysis. When I came to the step to e-file my Federal return, I printed a copy before e-filing and and was able to confirm that the Line 12B amount showed $600. I then went ahead and e-filed my Federal tax return, which was accepted by the IRS 30 minutes later. So the workaround does work. But it is a shame that this software bug has not been corrected by Intuit in a TurboTax update.  

[patti45231]

I am also having the same issue, just chatted with TurboTax expert for a while and no solution!  Any help would be appreciated.  

[JohnB5677]

I have found that this works.

First, you must clear all donations from the Deductions & Credits input screen

In the Desktop version:

1. Go to Deductions and Credits

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page

3. Select Done with Deductions

4. Let's check your Deductions .. Continue

5. Here are your 2021 Deductions ... Continue

6. The Standard deduction is right for you ... Continue

7. GET A TAX BREAK FOR DONATING CASH TO CHARITY
8. Enter the amount

Online version

1. Go to Deductions & Credits

2. Scroll to the very bottom

3. Select Wrap up Tax Breaks (Online)

4. Continue through the interview to 

5. Charitable Cash Contributions under Cares Act

6. Enter your donation.

[ghoofie]

The puzzling thing to me is that the same

error happened last year, just the 300

changed to 600 this year.

[cbhunt7]

@ghoofie - I thought the same thing when I saw the $300 on Line 12b on my 2020 Federal Tax Return. But then I checked on the IRS site and learned that the Charitable Donation addition on Line 12B was $300 for ALL filing statuses in Tax Year 2020. The change to the $600 Charitable Donation addition for Married Filing Jointly occurred for Tax Year 2021.

[brmwiatt]

Not working on desktop version that I can see.

[brmwiatt]

Makes no sense to me. How would one enter charitable contributions under the Cares Act Question?  Kindly provide Form#/Line#

[P2022]

I'm getting the same error, I think and I've updated the desktop software (Deluxe plus State) as of 2/7/22. What a mess!!!

Originally I entered two different lines containing cash donations totaling over $4K. Completed both the Fed and my state (KS) program. Notice when I went to up to the top left corner and selected Forms that the "Errors" stop sign lit up with a red asterisk next to 1040/1040SR Wks. Scrolling down revealed the issue was on line 12b.   Line 12a shows the standard deduction of 27,800. The next line appearing in the center between lines 12a and 12b defaults to my contribution total. Line 12b automatically populates with 300 in red with a yellow highlight. I am filling Married Filling Jointly. The directions on Line 12a declare that if MFJ then enter $600. If I manually change Line 12b from the red colored "300" to "600" it will stick until I run the final Analysis after the FED and State portions.   (It will be okay after just running the FED Review portion alone).  Then it changes back to 300 and the error is logged.   

There is a difference in the tax I pay for both the FED and State based upon the answer to Line 12b is "300" or "600". 

 I can not get around this error manually. 

I've read all of the pertinent posts I can find.

So maybe the error lies in the final "REVIEW" section where "Analysis" if found. That runs a check on both FED and State and causes the error again

Turbotax needs to fix this or explain to me how to get around it Please.