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Level 1
posted Feb 10, 2025 1:43:24 PM

W-2 Box 14 code PRETXH no category code accepted on NYS tax form

I have an entry on my W-2 in Box 14 labeled as PRETXH.  I spoke w/ my employer and was told that this represents the amount withheld pre-tax for my contribution toward my medical insurance.  When entering this information into my New York State return, it requires a category.  There is no category in the drop down that appropriate and NYS will not accept "Other"

0 8 4374
8 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 14, 2025 2:44:47 PM

Pretax medical is IRC 125 and would be NY tax exempt. Select that on the W2 box 14 screen.

 

Level 1
Feb 14, 2025 3:58:44 PM

When I select NY IRC 125/SEC 18 NY tax exempt, I receive the error message:

 

"Form W-2 (<employer>) Box 14 identification - NYS does not allow the description selected for NY public employee retirement contribution code entered (ERS, NYRET, RET, NYSERS).  To e-file successfully you must choose either "NY IRC 414H Subject to NY tax' or 'NY IRC 414H NY tax exempt' from the picklist"

 

I am not a public employee

Level 1
Feb 15, 2025 6:48:28 AM

I got the same error for entering EERETIREDED in Box 14 for retirement contributions.  I think the issue is that for some reason, Turbo Tax reads the "RET" in my description as the NYS Public employees retirement system, even though I am not a NYS employee.  When I removed the "T" from the description, the error cleared.

 

I never had this problem in the past with this description and using "Other"; not sure why this is happening this year, but seems to be a program/code issue with TurboTax.

Expert Alumni
Feb 15, 2025 10:49:02 AM

Based on the current description, TurboTax is treating the amount as if it's related to subject to rules for section 414. Since Box 14 is informational, you should be able to change the description to something else that's similar. That way you can choose the "other" category from the dropdown.

Level 1
Feb 16, 2025 4:10:06 AM

I reviewed my 2023 income tax return and my 2023 W-2 issued by the same employer.  The category code "Other (not classified)" was selected and accepted for the PRETXH code in Box 14.  This appears to be an issue (defect) with TurboTax software.

Level 1
Feb 20, 2025 7:37:03 AM

This is clearly a defect in the TurboTax software.  How can this be reported so that resolution is provided?  I don't find any phone numbers or email addresses by which to report this issue.

Expert Alumni
Feb 20, 2025 7:42:00 AM

Put a space in between PRE and TAX and it will accept your code.  Type it in as PRE TAX instead of PRETAX.  The lack of space produces the error.   

New Member
Feb 22, 2025 11:26:19 AM

This worked for this very aggravating error.

thanks