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Do you have multiple W-2s? Does the total of social security withheld from all W-2s exceed $8,239.80? If it does, you cannot use the Free Edition. If it doesn't, review the amounts you entered from your W-2 as it may be a typo. Double-check the amounts you entered into TurboTax.
Can I get a refund for excess Social Security tax withheld?
Why do I have to upgrade from Free Edition?
here are 2 different situations when it will say Employer may have paid too much Social Security. It's saying either 1 employer took out too much SS -OR- that you paid too much SS because you had more than 1 employer. This should cover both.
More than 1 Employer:
For 2019, If you had more than one employer and the total of box 4 (only box 4 not box 6) on all your 2019 W2s for Social Security is more than $8,239.80 you get the excess back on your tax return. And it is for each spouse separately, not combined. Check 1040 schedule 3 line 11 for it. Then schedule 3 goes to 1040 Line 18d. If only one employer took out more than $8,239.80 you have to get the difference back from that employer and get a corrected W2 form.
One Employer:
Check boxes 3 & 4 on your W2. Box 4 should be 6.2% of box 3 up to a max of $8,239.80. So take the amount in box 3 and multiply it by .062. If box 4 is more than that you need to get a corrected W2 from your employer. But also go back and double check your W2 entries, you may have entered box 3 & 4 wrong. A lot of people who have asked this found they did enter an amount wrong.
Or check W2 box 12. You may have entered Code A by mistake.
A sure way to fix this is to delete the W2 and re-enter it. That may clear something out.
Or post back with the amounts in boxes 3&4.
@DawnC Can you check into this and pass it up to tech? There seems to be something going on. Seeing lots of these excess SS questions just started a couple days ago. Maybe with an update?
Is it possible for you to send a screenshot of the screen where it is asking you to upgrade and a diagnostic copy of your return, please? It will be much appreciated! And thanks for the heads up @VolvoGirl.
A diagnostic return has any personal identifying information redacted, so your privacy is not in peril. Only a TurboTax agent can access the scrubbed return.
To send a diagnostic return to TurboTax:
Please indicate the number in a comment below.
@DawnC Check out this simple one. Only 2 W2 single and way under the max.
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