Why are estimated tax payments made in an income section in TurboTax?

Probably because that's where withholdings amounts are also recorded.

Estimated tax payments are

not

entered in the Wages & Income section of the TurboTax program.

 

To enter, edit or delete estimated taxes paid (Federal, State, Local) -

• Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
• Click on

  Deductions and Credits

• Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
• Scroll down to Estimates and Other Taxes Paid
• On Estimates, click on the start or update button

Or enter estimates paid in the Search box located in the upper right of the online program screen. Click on Jump to estimates paid

 

Or click on Tax Tools on the left side of the online program screen.
Click on Tools
Click on Topic Search
Type in estimated tax payments, click on GO

 

Federal estimated taxes paid are entered on Form 1040 Line 26