tax calculation

[pinet]

I have been using Turbotax for more than 10 years.  I never had problem with the software.

I am filing my 2023 return and I find the federal tax is way higher than it should be.

It looks a software or a logic bug.  How can I report this or get someone to check on it?

Thanks.

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

First, look to see what method TurboTax is using to calculate your tax.   It often doesn't go by the IRS Tax Tables alone.  There are alternate calculations it sometimes has to use.  For instance, if you have capital gains and/or qualified dividends, it uses the Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet.   Or do you have Foreign Earned Income--if so, it uses the Foreign Earned Income Tax Worksheet.    Did you by any chance have foreign earned income and used the FEI Exclusion?    Here's how to see what calculation worksheet(s) TurboTax used to calculate your tax:

If you are using desktop software, open your return and go to Forms Mode.  Bring up the Form 1040 Worksheet.    Scroll way down and between lines 15 and 16 of the Worksheet is a box called Tax Smart Worksheet.   That will show you where the tax calculation came from.

Also print out a copy of your 2022 and 2023 returns and compare them line by line.   When you spot a discrepancy that is larger than your expected year-over-year change, examine the details of that item to see if you spot a problem.   Look for things like an incorrect entry,  transposed figures, commas/decimals in the wrong place, etc.

If after all that, you're still concerned something doesn't gel, you can speak to the folks at TurboTax Support.

TurboTax Support hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern), 7 days/week

FAQ: What is the TurboTax phone number?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

[mesquitebean]

@pinet 

ADDENDUM:

If you're using Online TurboTax, I can tell you a different way to look at the Form 1040 Worksheet and the Tax Smart Worksheet to see the calculation method, or how to view/download a copy of your 2023 return containing that worksheet.

[pinet]

Hi mesquitebean,

Thank you for the quick reply.  I see why the tax is significantly different than the last year.

It is using a different tax worksheet due to FEI Exclusion which is the first time for me.

The question is resolved.  Thanks for your help!

[mesquitebean]

You're welcome.  I'm glad you were able to find what you needed.  Good luck.

[prisclark]

You might want to spend the $50 to do the "talk to an advisor" thing.  I had some surprising outcomes as well but the person I spoke to (within 3 minutes of calling) sorted out what was happening pretty quickly.  In my case the MISC form that is now a NEC form for income requires a schedule C to complete.  But my schedule C for this business gig was already uploaded from last year, so I ended up with two and double reporting the income. 

[crankydad]

@mesquitebean would you please share how to find this in TT online.  I cant find it anywhere. 
Its not even in the downloaded PDF when I include all worksheets!!

[mesquitebean]

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@ crankydad wrote:

mesquitebean would you please share how to find this in TT online.  I cant find it anywhere. 
Its not even in the downloaded PDF when I include all worksheets!!

---

  First you need to see what method the TurboTax program used to figure your tax by looking at a "Smart Worksheet" inside another worksheet.  Here's how:

In Online TurboTax open your return interview, and in the left menu column scroll down to TAX TOOLS, then subtab TOOLS.  

In the Tools window choose View Tax Summary.

While on the Tax Summary screen go to left menu column and under Federal choose "Preview My 1040".

The opens up the Form 1040 Worksheet and Schedules 1-3.

On the Form 1040 Worksheet scroll down to between lines 15 and 16, and there should be a Tax Smart Worksheet that shows what method(s) TurboTax used to figure your tax.

[crankydad]

thats great thanks.  I think something is still hiding though. 

Because of my situation, I was branched off to the Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet and at Line 22 and Line 24 that worksheet branches off to "Tax Computation Worksheet" after dealing with qualified dividends. 

It's that next level "Tax Computation Worksheet" that is still hiding - and I think it's got the calculations of 1099-B gains/losses plus the actual tax rate calculation on the rest of taxable income.

[mesquitebean]

---

@crankydad wrote:

thats great thanks.  I think something is still hiding though. 

Because of my situation, I was branched off to the Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet and at Line 22 and Line 24 that worksheet branches off to "Tax Computation Worksheet" after dealing with qualified dividends. 

It's that next level "Tax Computation Worksheet" that is still hiding - and I think it's got the calculations of 1099-B gains/losses plus the actual tax rate calculation on the rest of taxable income.

---

See if the answer I just left you in your other thread helps.   It can get confusing keeping track of multiple threads.  I don't think you will be able to see the Tax Computation Worksheet in either Online or desktop versions, but I left info there on why it's used and how you can see a blank one if you want to do a manual comparison.   Here's the other thread.   Try to stick with that one since you are the threadowner there.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/after-you-file/discussion/in-turbotax-online-web-version-there-doe...