Turbo Tax Error Report Error

[Ed_K]

Token Number - 193514616786439-4699921

How do i provide you with my token so you can track down the protected copy of my return i sent you? You automatically remove the token treating it as a url or phone number - very frustrating. 

I want to report two errors 
1) Regarding Sales Tax - on deductions and credits page:

Turbo tax does not allow me to enter a use tax that is 6% when the local sales tax is 7%. This is an error -  one can  deduct a use tax that is different than the local sales tax if its the same or lower - they are all treated as a SALT tax. If I bought a boat outside the state - i pay a use tax of 6% - if i buy a boat in the state of Iowa i pay a sales tax of 7% - in reviewing turbo tax write up on this it says

However, there are two exceptions to the “one rate” rule – you can deduct sales taxes on:

• food, clothing, and medical supplies even if the tax rate on these items is less than the general sales tax rate
• motor vehicles even if the tax rate on them is different than the general sales tax rate, but your deduction can’t be based on a rate that’s higher than the general sales tax rate

Turbo Tax is hard coded not to allow this exception. If I enter the 6% use tax value I paid which is lower than the local tax of 7% - it doesn't allow the deduction.

Turbo Tax please fix this. 


2) the Desk top version of Turbo Tax does not allow one to enter an HSA contribution. I know there are alot of complaints. But the field never appears - i can enter an MSA but not individual contribution to an HSA. 
I can go into Form 8889-T and manually enter but the worksheet thinks i am 55 or under for all of 2025 when i am 69 at present - Turbo Tax does have my birthdate too

Please fix this on both the topic list and on Form 8889-T

Thanks so much,

Ed

p.s. you don't make it very clear that i have to post with the Token number and then post on the forum to have this addressed. Actually, still not clear I am doing this correctly since your tools automatically remove the token number thinking is a phone numberToken Number

[RogerD1]

Per the IRS in the Schedule A instructions, the different rate on a boat purchase would not be allowable as a deduction.  The following comes from IRS Schedule A instructions on page 3:    

"Actual Expenses Generally, you can deduct the actual state and local general sales taxes (including compensating use taxes) you paid in 2025 if the tax rate was the same as the general sales tax rate.

Food, clothing, and medical supplies. Sales taxes on food, clothing, and medical supplies are deductible as a general sales tax even if the tax rate was less than the general sales tax rate.

Motor vehicles. Sales taxes on motor vehicles are deductible as a general sales tax even if the tax rate was different than the general sales tax rate. However, if you paid sales tax on a motor vehicle at a rate higher than the general sales tax, you can deduct only the amount of the tax that you would have paid at the general sales tax rate on that vehicle. Include any state and local general sales taxes paid for a leased motor vehicle. Motor vehicles include cars, motorcycles, motor homes, recreational vehicles, sport utility vehicles, trucks, vans, and off-road vehicles."

Additional information from an IRS fact sheet :   "Generally, taxpayers may add to the table amount any sales taxes paid on: A motor vehicle, but only up to the amount of tax paid at the general sales tax rate;
and an aircraft, boat, home (including mobile or prefabricated), or substantial addition
to or major renovation of a home, if the tax rate is the same as the general sales tax
rate."

With that said, you can go back to the sales tax input in TurboTax, and on the Sales tax deduction screen, you can select to Enter actual sales tax paid (Requires receipts to support your total.) and enter the amount of sales tax from all your receipts to enter the sales taxes paid as a deduction.

As for the HSA entry, here are steps to get that entered in:

1. Go to Forms by clicking Forms in the upper right on the blue banner.
2. Look for Form 8889-T on the left side menu and click on it.
3. On the Form screen, click Delete Form below the form, then click Yes on the pop-up to confirm deletion.
4. Click on Step by Step in the upper right corner on the blue banner
5. Go to the Personal Income page, then scroll down to Less Common Income, then click on Update by 1099-SA, HSA, MSA
6. Click Continue until you get to a screen Let's enter your HSA contributions.  The field with the W-2 contributions will be the top box.  You can then enter in the lower box the contributions that you made outside your employer contributions.

[Edited 4/15/2026, 5:00 PM PDT] @Ed_K 

[Ed_K]

Thanks for the reply Rodger but I think you are wrong in your assessment - some boats can be classified as a primary residence and it certainly is a motor vehicle. In my case I purchased a yacht that includes two bed rooms - kitchen and two bathrooms - i will classify my yacht a motored vehicle. I paid 22K use tax on this "vehicle". If that i not legal it certainly is unfair and unjust like much of the tax code that exists today.

A motor vehicle is technically anything that can convey people or cargo, is motor-driven, and does not run on rails.  Traditionally, this definition applied to things like cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles.  However, most states require boats to be considered as motor vehicles and registered as such.

Even if that is not the case Turbo tax still wrong in how it works for motor vehicles. It disqualifies the vehicle if the rate is lower than the local sales tax - please be careful in your advice especially when it's wrong.

[Ed_K]

Thank you though for the directions on HSA contributions