Social Security Benefits - flag if entry was overlooked

Greta, I assume you’re suggesting that there should be a SS flag if entries were present in prior year…. Its a good suggestion although a quick 2 year comparison will accomplish same and give a more complete review.

I agree, it's always best to always back. But the one time I overlooked this income, it cost the client a lot of additional tax. It's great to have last year's investments listed in Sch B (with pink error alerts!) so I can tell the client he overlooked some interest income. Can something similar be done for social security benefits? I suspect not, since it has never been done in four decades. Maybe some pink alert?

Amazing that people actually fail to bring in these forms. Then when you call them, sometimes they cant find it, then soc sec has to be contacted by them to request it. delays return completion.

It does happen!  Then I use last year's amount plus the % increase that year -- that's close 'nuff, and I'm OK as long as there was no withholding. Or I suggest that they go online on MySocialSecurity site and retrieve their 1099. Of course they insist the slip didn't arrive...

yup. I think some people think it is not important mail because it is not mailed in an official looking envelope (it appears a little rinky dink to them).

Thanks for the idea to add a flag if Social Security entries were present in prior year. We are changing the status to "Open for voting". 

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Show as an error in final review. If the current address is located in the U.S and the box is checked on the Social Security Benefits Worksheet indicating the taxpayer and/or spouse is a U.S. citizen and a resident of one of the foreign countries listed. If this box is checked then benefits are exempt from U.S. tax.