Worksheet Problem

[RGS52]

The Home Mortgage Interest Worksheet wants a "beginning balance" but won't accept input. Other lines like payoff date, etc... all seem to work just fine. I found a question about this suggesting going into properties and changing a setting, but it did not solve the problem. This flaw shouldn't exist, but I will submit my return without the information if necessary. Any simple solution?

[RaifH]

The Beginning Balance on the Home Mortgage Interest Worksheet matches the amount of Outstanding Mortgage Principal reported on Box 3 of the worksheet (which is Box 2 on Form 1098). If you change the Line 3 amount, it should also change the Beginning Balance used to make the calculations.

[RGS52]

Curious why this worksheet was even a factor in doing my tax. I have done my own taxes for 50+ years, and never have I seen this come up before. The only thing different about this year, is that I paid off my mortgage, and only paid $414 in interest for the year. Did that somehow trigger this requirement?

[RaifH]

I think indicating to TurboTax that your loan was paid off this year triggered the worksheet since that is usually a refinance or a sale and a purchase of a new home. The worksheet is only needed in case of multiple 1098s or the outstanding mortgage principal exceeds the limit.