Any free files that let you input jury duty

Herr Kutz

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,545
242
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Turbotax and H&R require you to pay $34.99 in order to file if you have jury duty as part of your income. Since I was only paid for one day ($40), the filing fee on top of the tax I would pay on the $40 would wind up costing me money. F that. Are there any e-filers that let you file federal taxes with jury duty income? I don't really care if free state file is available since my state has an easy efile through the state's dept of revenue.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
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What do you mean by claim it? I have to report it as income...
It'd take a forensic accountant weeks to figure out the blip from one days jury duty. Why would you bother? There is zero chance the IRS is going to scrutinize your return at that level.
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,126
4,903
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Did you get a 1099G or 1099MISC? If no I wouldn't claim it at all.

If you really want to just add it to the Other income Line on the 1040. And on the dotted line, immediately before entering the total pay, write “Jury Duty.”

IF jury duty pay is money that you received to compensate you for time spent on a jury, it is considered taxable income. The IRS requires you to report this type of income on a Form 1040 (Line 21). The Form 1040-EZ does not have a place to report jury duty pay (Other Income, not subject to employment taxes). In this case, you will have to upgrade to TurboTax Deluxe to prepare a return with jury duty pay. Jury duty pay is entered in the Jury Duty interview, under Federal Taxes > Wages and Income > Less Common Income.

IF, however, jury duty "pay" is intended as reimbursement for casual expenses you incur as a consequence of jury duty (e.g. travel, parking, meals, child-care), it would not be considered "compensation" for your time and not reportable as "income".
 

Herr Kutz

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2009
2,545
242
106
I haven't received a 1099 form for it yet, and I'm not counting the portion of the check that is reimbursing me for mileage and parking. Do you usually receive a 1099 for federal jury duty?
 

dud

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,635
73
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Thanks for posting this OP. This is another reason to add to my list of why I should never again serve on a jury ...
 

lupi

Lifer
Apr 8, 2001
32,539
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Had to use that back when taxact would let you itemize for free. Was looking back recently at some past year fillings and it took me a moment to remember what that added income was for that year. With how they are reducing things included in the free filling version, wouldn't be surprised if it no longer would allow it.
 

Slew Foot

Lifer
Sep 22, 2005
12,379
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$40? What was that, a week of Jury Duty? F that crap, I always throw that in the garbage.
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
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Hell, what`s the interest on $40 after they catch you 10 years from now? So now you owe $4,000 in back taxes and could go to jail for tax evasion...lolol
 
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MrSquished

Lifer
Jan 14, 2013
25,878
24,219
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Trump is president now. He doesn't care if he doesn't pay taxes but he'll come after you for $40.

I say file that shit in magic marker
 
Nov 8, 2012
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IF, however, jury duty "pay" is intended as reimbursement for casual expenses you incur as a consequence of jury duty (e.g. travel, parking, meals, child-care), it would not be considered "compensation" for your time and not reportable as "income".

You sure about this? Got an IRS link for this? I have always reported my shitty $6 check for showing up on selection day.

It's very hard to say that your compensation was strictly for travel/parking on it's own.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,847
13,418
126
www.anyf.ca
For around $40 I just get my taxes done professionally. Seems crazy to pay for a program that you will use once because the next year it will be outdated.
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,126
4,903
136
Hell, whats the interest on $49 afterthey catch you 0 years from now? So now you owe $4,000 in back taxes and could go to jail for tax evasion...lolol

Generally, the statute of limitations for the IRS to assess taxes on a taxpayer expires three (3) years from the due date of the return or the date on which it was filed, whichever is later. A return is considered to be filed on the due date of the return if it was filed on or before its due date.

Not going to be that much in three years. Not even close on 40 dollars.