Turbotax 2021 desktop Mac: can't revisit medical deduction

[Scott_A_R]

I need to go back to add some items to my medical deductions--it's set to standard deduction, but there are some things I need to add that'll make itemized more sensible.

If I go to Federal Taxes>Deductions & Credits, and choose Medical, the choices are to Visit All or to Update the sections I'd completed. When I try to update the information, it asks me if I have any medical expenses for 2021; I select Yes. It then asks me about HSA/MSA, etc. No. Then about a HDHP (None). 

It then says "Thanks, we got all your Medical Expense info" without giving me the change to change any information--i.e., enter additional expenses. How do I get TT to do so without starting from scratch?

[Cynthiad66]

Select visit all.  You will be required to scroll through the areas that have been completed but you will be allowed to edit.  Editing should allow you to add more deductions.

Claiming the standard deduction is certainly easier. To itemize, you need to keep track of what you spent during the year on deductible expenses like out-of-pocket medical expenses and charitable donations. You also need to maintain supporting documentation, such as receipts; bank statements; medical bills; acknowledgment letters from charitable organizations; and tax documents reporting the mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and state income taxes you paid during the year. Then you need to determine whether your available itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction for your filing status.

That might sound like a lot of work, but it can pay off if your total itemized deductions are higher than the standard deduction.

For 2021, the standard deduction numbers to beat are:

• Single taxpayers: $12,550
• Married taxpayers filing a joint return: $25,100
• Heads of household: $18,800

[Scott_A_R]

That's the point: it doesn't allow me to edit. I fully understand about the standard vs the itemized deduction, which is why I'm trying to fix this.

It happens just like I said above. When I try Visit All TurboTax asks:

Did you have any medical expenses in 2021?

Yes

Tell us about the health-related accounts you had in 2021

None of the above (choices are HSA, MSA, Medicare Advantage MSA).

What type of High Deductible Health Plan did you have on December 1, 2020?

None

Thanks, we got all your Medical Expense Info

Right now, the Standard Deduction saves you the most in taxes.

Except that according to TurboTax my medical expenses from 2020 (when I itemized) were higher than they are in 2021, which is false--they're considerably higher in 2021, but it won't allow me to add thousand of dollars worth of expenses.

TurboTax says "we got all your Medical Info," but it doesn't and won't let me add to it.

[BillM223]

Go to Deductions & Credits->Medical->Medical Expenses. When you see questions about HSAs and what not, you're in the wrong section (the one previous to Medical)...

[Scott_A_R]

As I said over and over, it won't let me GET to the Medical Expenses section.

Finally did a screen share with support and they saw what I was talking about; no one had an answer, even after conferencing in higher-level support. The only solution they could come up with was to delete all of my medical expense info and start from scratch.

[Pkardl]

same issue here.  Won't let you update medical expenses.

[GeorgeM777]

The subject line for your post indicates you are using the 2021 TurboTax desktop application for Mac.  Are you trying to amend your 2021 tax return to add your medical expenses?

@Pkardl

[Scott_A_R]

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@GeorgeM777 wrote:

The subject line for your post indicates you are using the 2021 TurboTax desktop application for Mac.  Are you trying to amend your 2021 tax return to add your medical expenses?

---

No, this topic is almost a year old. I was trying to work on a return that had not been filed, but that was last year.

[DawnC]

Your situation may be a supporting detail that is stuck from a prior year.   Check out this discussion and SteamTrain's solution.   @Pkardl

[Scott_A_R]

---

@DawnC wrote:

Your situation may be a supporting detail that is stuck from a prior year.   Check out this discussion and SteamTrain's solution.   @Pkardl

---

Like I said, I asked this question A YEAR ago. I haven't been working on the return the whole time.

[rpe2]

I am having the same problem with my 2022 Turbotax Deluxe on a PC.  It will not allow me to edit my medical expenses for the 2022 tax year.  When I hit "Update", it says "Thanks, we got all your Medical Expense info".  It doesn't matter whether I try to just update Medical Expenses or if I try to update the entire section.  I have not had this problem with any other part of Turbotax.  This needs to be fixed because people are unable to edit their medical information. 

[Critter-3]

Switch to the FORMS mode and make the changes directly to the Sch A worksheet ...

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?

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?

[DEBC15]

I'm having the same problem on my PC. I've tried 10 different approaches but it just keeps telling me it already has my medical expenses and the standard deduction is best for me.

NO YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE MY MEDICAL EXPENSES. So this has been going on for a year now and apparently nobody at Intuit cares. Thanks for sharing my frustration.

[AmyC]

Please switch to Forms Mode and make an entry. While on that entry, switch to step - by- step. This should put you exactly at your entry and allow you to correctly make entries in the program. See the post by Critter above for details on the Forms mode.

@DEBC15