W-2 Box 14 Input Issues During Review

[Vanessa A]

As noted by Twentycents, The error only happens when the word PRETAX is entered and not when PRE TAX is entered or any other word.  The error comes from the lack of a space between Pre and Tax.  If you have not already made the correction, this is the fix to this issue.

@TQueenz 

@ACPCPA1 

@DaveInNY 

@TheMightyQuinn 

@GaryNeedsThisFix 

@testdillon 

@Robb315 

[Robb315]

It’s NOT a fix. It’s a workaround. It’s worked every year except this year. 

I just deleted that line and left it out of my box 14 entries and filed it weeks ago. Thanks for nothing anyways.

[pearlkargman]

for 2023 tax year, I had a w2 with no line 1 also but line 12a had DD with a entry. (about 8k). I was unable to file Turbo tax due to this. So I called Turbo tax ad they suggested I put in $1 in the wage line. Big mistake. Was audited likely because why would someone earn wages of $1. So don't do this. This 2024 tax year, I was concerned same thing would happen and not be able to file if line 1 blank and this year Turbo tax felt I could delete this w2 because I made no table income and this is for my general info only. So this is what i plan on doing-- when I am ready to file in March , I will try to leave it in (thinking maybe Turbo tax fixed this issue) but if not I will delete the form. I am not under-reporting any income.  

[egilberg]

I am having the exact same problem! There is a line item in the W-2 Box 14 that has an amount and "PRETAX" with no code. I tried using "Other -- not classified" and it says I can't efile. It gives me this message: 

"NYS does not allow the description selected for the NY public employee retirement code entered (ERS, NYRET, RET, NYSERS). To e-file successfully you must choose either 'NYC IRC 414H Subject to NY tax' or 'NY IRC 414H NY Tax Exempt' from the picklist."

This is inapplicable to my situation. Turbotax, please fix this!

[LenaH]

The word PRETAX in the description is causing the error and forcing you to choose 414(h) exempt or taxable in Box 14. Please try adding a space between words (PRE TAX) or changing to another description. This should clear the error. 

@egilberg 

[egilberg]

I saw another post suggesting putting a space between PRE and TAX and it works! Thanks

[pearlkargman]

Hi that wasn't my exact issue but another users. They couldn't file for a different reason but we both could not file when our w2 line 1 was blank (no income). In my case I had an entry DD in 12a  with an amount, and I could not file my federal taxes last year because of the line 1 blank. I have the same issue this year and am hoping I will be able to file my return with turbo tax including this w2 form. But if i cannot, I will omit it as there is no income. The point these people and I are making is that we should be able to file with a w2 line 1 blank .

[Vanessa A]

If your box 1 is blank, do you have anything else at all on your form other than box 12?  If not, there is no need to enter the W-2 on your return.  

If you have other numbers on your return, some users have reported the ability to file a return with a blank in box 1. 

[pearlkargman]

no just line 12a has DD with a figure. Nothing else . Thank you for responding to this. I will omit this form when I file.

[madjag]

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 the description as the NYS Public employees retirement system, even though I am not a NYS employee.  When I removed the "T" from the description or wrote it as "EERE TIREDED," with a space somewhere in "RET," 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 programing/code issue with TurboTax.

[CASSMONTY14]

While this may not be a fix, it is a work around. What is holding this up is the word PRETAX, The letters in these boxes are really used for employers as a "catch-all" if you will. 
If you just take PRETAX out and use the word OTHER, it will allow you to e-file. 

[ac360]

This is not the only error on NY state Line 14. I have a moving expense classified as (other) and I get the same error code for A-101 Other Additions and Subtractions. This workaround does not work in all instances - it seems like it just won't accept Other as option. 

What is the fix for this TurboTax? It's the end of March - this should have been fixed by now in one of the many updates.

[bbface79]

Spoke with a rep: "If Turbotax forces a selection, try choosing "Other (not specified)" instead of assigning it a NY tax classification. If that triggers the NYIRC error, remove the entry for Pretax Med entirely, because it doesn't affect taxable income." 

I'm in NY and since it doesn't affect me, I deleted it and I was able to progress. 

[LeticiaF1]

Employers can put just about anything in box 14; it's a catch-all for items that don't have their own dedicated box on the W-2.  In TurboTax, enter the description from your W-2's box 14 on the first field in the row. Enter the dollar amount and select the correct tax category that goes with that description.

If none of the categories apply, scroll to the bottom of the list and choose Other (not classified). Don’t worry. We'll figure out if it impacts your return or not. If we need more information, we'll ask you.

What is box 14 on my W-2 for?

@ac360 

[ac360]

On the NY state return, selecting Other triggers an unfixable error