Turbotax 2021 - can't overide

[mingmlee]

I just installed Turbotax 2021 on my PC.

Started doing a new return.  When I go to Form 1040 line 1, I can't override the cell.  In fact I can't override any cells.  

Maybe the product is so new, it is a known bug and needs an update.  I've installed on two different computers and both have the same problem.

Anyone else having this problem?  

[SteamTrain]

Desktop Software Only:

Generally speaking, you can't override any line with a white background....and on the 1040 itself, probably no fields can be overridden.

On the 1040/1040SR wks, there are some tan-colored fields that can be overridden.

Usually, (in desktop Forms Mode) a field without an override capability, is a calculated number, or is a number from some other forms or worksheets that feed into it...and any changes/overrides must be made into the worksheets that feed into that line. 

Thus, line 1 on the 1040 will come primarily from a sum of all W-2 worksheets (and a few other rarer sources, work as household employee, excess scholarship amounts, a rarer situation with certain 1099-R codes)

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BUT, you are not supposed to be working in Forms Mode.  The software is meant to be used with the interview....and only rarely will corrections be made directly in the forms or worksheets themselves.

[mingmlee]

Thanks for the reply.  The answer was very helpful.

I was trying to take a shortcut and come up with an estimate of what I would owe for 2021.  That way I could adjust my 4Q2021 quarterly withholdings to avoid any underpayment penalties.  I didn't want to fill out the complete interview process but populate a few line items to get a ballpark of my overall taxes.  I guess I can drive these numbers by filling out the fields in the worksheet.

I've been a long time user of turbotax and for whatever reason did not notice this limitation before.

Thanks again.

[SteamTrain]

Yeah...I'm really not sure that the 2021 software is sufficiently complete enough to get a good estimate of what your 4Q payment should be. 

IF single or married with no kids, it might be somewhat OK, but some areas aren't really operational yet.

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One of the calculators (Taxcaster) might be more accurate for a guesstimate.

Free Tax Calculators & Money Saving Tools 2021-2022 | TurboTax® Official (intuit.com)

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I just used the Desktop 2020 software's "What IF" form to guestimate the 2021 result.

If you open your 2020 taxes, and then use Forms Mode to open the "What IF" worksheet, you can x a box that copies all your 2020 values into a new column, then change any values on that 2021 worksheet column to approximate what your 2021 values will be.