Why is Box 11$ on 1099 Div being added to my total Federal Tax Bill? I thought this value was tax exempt for Federal calcs.

No, it shouldn't.

BUT, it is used to determine what % of SS income is taxable...and also used in determining whether you are eligible for any of the Healthcare Tax Credit (Obamacare)...so the first one of those could increase taxes on SS income, and the other could reduce the healthcare credit.

Thank you for that explanation.  This was driving me absolutely crazy, as entry into Box 11 was causing my FED tax to go up.