TurboTax shows error message "Box 1 Entry on Form W-2 is invalid for E-filing Your Return"

This issue occurs if there are one or more W-2 forms with an empty or blank Box 1 amount on your return.

First, make sure you didn't accidentally enter a duplicate W-2:

1. Open your return.
2. Click the Federal Taxes tab (or the Personal tab in Home & Business) and then click the Income subtab.
3. Proceed to the Income Summary screen.
4. Click the Update button next to the Wages and Salaries section.
5. Review all the W-2 forms you entered and delete any duplicate W-2s with empty Box 1 amounts.

If you received a W-2 without an amount in box 1 (frequently these W-2s include a code and amount in box 12) then you will not be able to e-file your return per IRS regulations. You must print and mail your return instead.

TurboTax generates a similar error message before e-filing that could be confused with the W-2 box 1 error message.

The error states:

"Wages, Salaries & Tips Worksheet: TP other earned inc-1 must be entered."

TurboTax generates this message when a prior return had a Miscellaneous Income entry for Other Earned Income and no amount is entered in the current year.  The Miscellaneous Income section can be found:

1. Under the Federal Taxes tab.
2. Then Wages & Income.
3. Next, locate the Less Common Income section and then Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A, 1099-C.  Select the first box  Wages not already reported.

If you receive this error, delete the description entered on line 9.  Note: The description would normally be the person or business who paid you the other earned income. 

If you are using TurboTax on-line or TurboTax Desktop and have followed the directions in this Support Article and are still unable to remove the information or locate the form, please contact technical support, the Agent can assist you with locating the form that needs to be removed

You'll need to amend your return to correct the discrepancy.

Because the additional income was entered in error, the taxing authorities will usually catch this and make the corrections, but submitting an amended return should be done as a safety precaution.

Important: If you had a balance due on your federal and/or state return and elected to use direct debit to pay the balance, the IRS and state taxing authorities may deduct the incorrect balance amount from the specified account before they review and determine that the original return you submitted is incorrect.  We suggest you contact the tax authorities directly to inform them of this situation.  For the IRS, you can click here to be taken to a taxpayer advocacy page for additional assistance.

You should also contact your financial institution to see what options there are to avoid having an incorrect amount debited from your account.