I got a lump sum payment in 2021 from Social Security which covers the years 2021, 2020 and 2019. I entered that information into TurboTax and it calculated box 6b and entered a number based on the default method of calculating this value. However, I followed the instructions I got from the IRS website which said I could use an alternative method if that would reduce my taxes. I did that method and found that it did indeed reduce my taxes. However, I have no way to enter that data into TurboTax.
It is unclear to me why TurboTax did not use the alternate method of calculation. Please advise.
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You have to ask it to do so.
You have the choice of paying tax on the entire amount in 2021 or treating each payment as if it had been paid in the year it should have been. You will still pay the tax now, but it could save you some money.
This is simply a one-time Social Security payment that you received for prior-year benefits. This is called a lump-sum payment. When someone is granted disability benefits, for example, they will receive a lump sum to cover the entire time since they first applied for disability; this period could cover months or years.
After you enter your SSA-1099 information, TurboTax will ask if you received a lump-sum Social Security payment. If you didn't receive one, just answer No and move on.
Otherwise, answer Yes and follow the onscreen instructions. Your SSA-1099 lump-sum section breaks down the payments into what amount was received for each preceding year. You can only enter one year at a time; when finished, click Add Another Lump Sum if you need to enter benefits received for a different tax year.
While your lump sum may include benefit payments for more than one year, you do not have to file an amended tax return for any prior year. You might need to pay taxes on a small portion of your lump-sum payment. However, you might be able to avoid these taxes by apportioning prior year benefits to those previous years’ income (still without filing any amended returns).
After you enter your lump-sum Social Security payment information, TurboTax will automatically figure what if any taxes you owe due to the lump-sum payment.
Which software or program is best used for this reporting of Lump Sum distribution. I also will be reporting marketplace insurance info.
You just need the Deluxe for all of that.
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