Skip to main content
Level 3
February 4, 2022
Question

W2G entry very slow

  • February 4, 2022
  • 13 replies
  • 1 view

 I have several W2G’s to load. Each one taking over 20 minutes.  You click on the first box then have to wait several seconds before you can enter any data, then allows the next box to be entered, then locks up again when you click the next box.  I have cleared cache and even did Windows clean up.  All updates are current.  Even tried to unplug from Internet to see if it was sending data.  Any one else with this problem?

    13 replies

    Level 12
    February 4, 2022

    So that you can get further assistance please reach out to Customer Support by clicking here

    **Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
    Level 3
    February 11, 2022

    I've done a little bit of research on whether you can enter all your winnings in lump sums or if you have to enter the W2G.  I've found conflicting answers not only turbo tax community pages but also on other vendors as well.  I'm looking for an answer from one of the Turbo Tax Experts.  Some say you can do it, but it will cause the IRS to question your return.

     

    https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/can-i-report-more-than-one-w2g-from-the-[product key removed]ned-in-one-entry/00/598264

     

    https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/do-i-have-to-enter-72-different-w2-g-also-how-do-i-enter-my-win-loss-statement/00/279081

     

    The IRS publishes e-file requirements for each tax year. According to their list of acceptable forms at My link, W-2G is limited to 30 copies.

     

    Don't try to "combine" forms--matching information returns is what the IRS does best of all. And you may have noticed they are paying a LOT of attention to e-file requirements and preparer services lately.

     

    While you can electronically file the return by consolidating similar winnings as explained below, doing so may result in the IRS contacting you for the supporting information since the consolidated information transmitted to the IRS will not match exactly the IRS copies they have already received (the total will match, but not the other information on the forms).

     

     

    Critter-3
    Level 15
    February 11, 2022

    It's a convenience to enter each individual form that you have.  The IRS does (or will) have their copies of the W-2Gs for everyone because the payer is required to supply them to the IRS as well as the individuals. It usually takes quite some time before the IRS matches the actual documents with the tax return they belong to.

     

    You can enter your total gambling winnings and keep all of your documents with your tax return so that you have the required information should you need to verify your entries down the road. In the software you would have to say 'No' to the question: Did you receive a W-2G?

     

    You are preparing your own tax return and TurboTax is trying to help you in the most effective and efficient way.  Be prepared with your gambling losses and keep those records with your return as well.

     

    Gambling losses are allowed to the extent of the winnings and only if you can itemize deductions.  You are not allowed to 'net' your winnings by reducing them by the losses.

     

    @miller1099


    The simplest answer to this question is to just LOOK at the Sch 1 line 8b ... this is the ONLY info the IRS is sent when you efile  no matter how many W-2G forms you enter in the program.   Entering in all those forms are for YOUR use only  so if you can add up all the winnings yourself then you can simply make ONE entry in the program ... just skip the W-2G entry screen by saying NO and on the next screen you can enter just the total. 

     

    The IRS computer adds up all the winnings from the W-2G forms they also get from the issuers  and will be looking for that amount to be on line 8b.   This is just the brass tacks of the situation.   Now if you want to enter all those individual forms because you need the program to do the math for you then go right ahead and waste all that time if that will make you happy but it is not required.   30 years in the business and I have never entered in a W-2G form UNLESS  it had fed/state withholding on it ... that is the only time entering it in any tax program makes sense and even then you can still just make one W-2G entry with the combined totals.  

     

     

     

    Level 2
    February 7, 2022

    This is the absolutely worst thing in this program software this year for the taxable year 2021.   Having the same problem entering the W2G's - They take forever at least 15 minutes on each one.   You can fall asleep waiting for the next screen to come up.   Turbotax has changed something somewhere as this has never been this awful before.  However, when you call in to customer service, they are clueless how to resolve the problem.   They tell you clear cache, cookies, uninstall Turbotax, reinstall Turbotax, the server is too busy, try later, your computer must be slow, or your internet must be slow.   It's one big mess trying to get these enter.   With the number that I have to enter, it will take a minimum of 8 hours to enter something so simple as a W2G.    TURBOTAX - WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THIS PROGRAM.   This is the same computer I have ran Turbotax on for several years and NEVER had these problems and nothing on this end has changed.   Turbotax needs to get a PATCH TO FIX THIS PROBLEM!!! 

    Level 2
    February 7, 2022

    Just finished another W2G entry - this one took 25 minutes to enter.   Get the blue circle after every tab field and shows "not responding."   It almost seems like the Turbotax server - the more tax returns getting processed, the slower and worse this is getting.   TURBOTAX - PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM SO THESE W2G entries can be entered in something shorter than anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes.

    Level 2
    February 21, 2022

    I am unable to enter any information in the W-2G fields in TT 2021 download version. I checked an older TT version (2019). Able to enter data. Contacted TT supporting for help. Still waiting for a fix to this problem. 

    Level 3
    February 23, 2022

    @Bob4748 

     

    I hear you on this issue.  I have used TT for many many years.  They clearly have a bug in this section.  I tried to call support several times.  The support I received was terrible.  I found more information searching the forums than they were able to give me.  The standard answer is clear you cache, restart, reload the program.  I ended up tallying them all up by casino and right clicking on the field and adding in notes separating them all out.  I did find out that you cannot electronically file if you have more than 30 W2G.  You have to paper file, which I had to do that last year as well.  By combining them I could file electronically.  Hopefully this works fine with the IRS, but if they come back I at least got TT on record saying I could do it this way. Whatever that's worth.

    Level 2
    February 21, 2022

    Yes!  I'm having the same issue.  Even rebooted, and have tried over a week thinking maybe tomorrow will be better.  This is horrible.  Takes about 10 minutes to do 1 W2-G form.  I've used Turbo Tax for a long time and will never buy this product again unless they fix it.  At this rate, I won't have all my data entered by April 18th.

    Level 2
    February 22, 2022
    I have the same problem entering W-2 information. Not quite as slow as what you are experiencing, but still slow. I don't know why Turbotax changed the W-2 input format.
    Level 14
    February 22, 2022

    @high-g

     

    Have you tried the following to see if this clears up the lag? 

     

    • Log completely out of Turbo Tax. 
    • Then, clear your cache and cookies within your browser and completely close out of it.  I have included the Help Articles below if you need assistance with clearing cache or cookies. 
    • Re-open the browser and log back into Turbo Tax and see if this fixes the situation.  You can also try a different browser as well or "incognito mode".  

    If none of the above steps resolve the issue, please reach out to us directly using the Help Article here.

     

     

    Clear Cache

    Delete Cookies

     

     

    **Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
    Level 2
    February 22, 2022

    Hello,

     

    Yes, I tried all that and nothing helped.  What I noticed is that the form gets slower after each new W2-G is added.  I just finally gave up, spent over 3 hours trying to load them and was only able to load 15.  I decided to sum them all into 1 line and submit that way.  This was not an issue last year.  

    Level 2
    February 27, 2022

    same problem but it is taking me 35 minutes to enter one W2.  is there a fix for this?

    Level 14
    February 27, 2022

    @tenuki

     

    If you are using the Online version, please try the below: 

     

    • Log completely out of Turbo Tax. 
    • Then, clear your cache and cookies within your browser and completely close out of it.  I have included the Help Articles below if you need assistance with clearing cache or cookies. 
    • Re-open the browser and log back into Turbo Tax and see if this fixes the situation.  You can also try a different browser as well or "incognito mode".  

    If none of the above steps resolve the issue, please reach out to us directly using the Help Article here.  This ensures you will get to the correct department as quickly as possible. 

     

    Clear Cache

    Delete Cookies

     

    **Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post. **Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
    Level 2
    February 27, 2022

    I am using TT 2021 Home and Business, the download version.  I deleted the first download and redownloaded it using Google Chrome.  Same issue.  I enter a number in a box and tab to go to the next box and it does nothing.  I then click into the next box and I get the blue circle and at the top it says "not responding".  So, I sit and wait for about 30 to 45 seconds and then I can enter another number.  And on it goes.

    Level 2
    March 8, 2022

    Yes. I have the same issue. This is just unacceptable. 15-20 minutes to enter just one W2G. I spent 2 hours on the phone with customer service with no solution. I did everything suggested while the rep was online watching my account and entry. She still has no answers. Don’t bother with the cache and cookies crap. It doesn’t work neither does rebooting or downloading a completely new registration number. Nothing works. Fix this mess Intuit. I will be looking for a different product for 2022. 

    BTW, I have been a loyal customer for over 20 years. Don’t tell me it’s not your program. It most certainly is. Fix it or lose another customer. 

    Level 2
    April 16, 2022

    It's the worst!   I used to be a programmer there is no reason for this mess -OR- that they are not fixing this.   Shame on TT.   I've used your product for 16 years this will be the last year.    Obviously this was not tested & with all the complaints here the fact you are not fixing this is again shameful.   FIX YOUR INDEXED already!!!!!!!    We who know what goes on inside the machine know this is a programming error.   WoW is all I can say.    Every single entry takes longer and longer.   I was up to 38 minutes to enter 1 w2G.    Terrible.   And you are owned by quickbooks is that correct?   Such a big company with pockets as deep as you have and you are ignoring your base out here?   SO ridiculous and pathetic that this is being ignored.    You will totally lose many customers next year.   #shameful #badbadbiz

    Level 2
    April 16, 2022

    Meant to say fix you indexes.   My typo.   SO frustrated with this entire mess my flying fingers let me down & I didn't proof.    

     

    SHAMEFUL TT.   You're fired!

    Level 2
    April 13, 2022

    I found that if you enter the W2Gs through the forms part of the program rather than the step by step part of the program it won't freeze every single line. It lets you actually enter it at a normal speed. I had a lot of W2Gs to enter so this was a great workaround.......until the program crashed and lost the 160 W2Gs I had entered. So I entered them again, making sure to save after every one. Again, this seemed to be working great......until I closed the program and tried to reopen the return. It took 20 minutes of attempting to load the return to actually load the return, then another 15 minutes to switch it from step by step back to forms view. I called tech support, who says there is no problem with their program. I did also try the program on a second, brand new computer and it has the same freezing/glitching issue as soon as I try to enter a W2G. Their solution? Uninstall and reinstall the program. I am a very easy going person but there is no way on this Earth that I am going to enter all of those W2Gs AGAIN. I have used this program for many years and was a licensed tax preparer for many years before that so I can confidently say that this is not a user error issue, this is a program problem. I have never had any problems with their program in previous years, this is the first year. I have always had W2Gs on returns with no issues in prior years. So if you only have a few W2Gs, you can probably grit your teeth and get them in. However, if you have a lot of them then this program is simply not worth the frustration for the 2021 program. When I asked if they were planning on any solutions for this problem, they just offered a refund. So even if I can get through the program this year, who knows if is still going to be glitching all over the place next year since they say there is no problem. I am completely fed up with this program this year. Guess I have to go buy another program with the refund they give me and redo my entire return AGAIN with 6 days left to file. So disappointed with the product this year, especially since I have had nothing but great experiences with Turbo Tax for years. Hopefully they admit they have a problem and fix it. Good luck!

    Level 3
    April 14, 2022

    I hear you.  They told me they were working on a fix.  Here is the link: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/why-does-turbotax-desktop-get-so-slow-when-i-enter-w-2gs/00/2596606.

     

    If you go to the link it says it's solved, but it is not.  I even signed up for updates and never received one.  Like so many others I've used TT for almost my entire life and never ever had this much problems.  To me it's not the issue at hand, it's the total lack of support.  I've contacted support in past and had pretty good luck all around.  Not this year.  I don't know what has happened with this company, but support is terrible.  If you look back at some of my previous messages, I had called support, but they don't let you talk to a tech.  You get a person that acts as a go between.  Just doesn't make any sense.  Probable my last year with them.  While I'm at it I think I'll even uninstall MINT as well.

    Level 2
    April 14, 2022

    That's very misleading to say the issue is solved.  Status should be pending a fix or something.

     

    I tried to do some research on whether w2gs can be summarized.  IRS site doesn't give specifics on this, but people have mixed opinions.  I would rather not get questioned and call attention to my return.

    Level 2
    April 14, 2022

    This is crazy.  Twenty minutes each one if I am diligent about it and I have over 100.  I may shoot myself after this.  Thanks turbo tax.  You guys are special.

    Level 2
    April 16, 2022

    I reported this same issue last year and they assured me it would be fixed. It took me over 55 hours to enter my W-2G’s this year. I will read the reviews next year and will not be buying Turbo Tax again if the issue is not fixed. They’ve known about this issue so I have to assume they are not going to fix it.