Has anyone solved the problem with line 5a on Form 941 when social security wages do not pull to the form so it looks like an overpayment?

Let me help you in populating form Form 941, dwunderlich.

First,  you'll have to make sure that you have the latest QuickBooks release and tax table version on that one computer. Keeping your QuickBooks updated prevents unexpected issues within the program. Let me walk you through the steps. 

1. Go to Help, then Update QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Select the Options tab, and tick the Mark All button.
3. Click the Update Now tab, then put a check mark on the Reset Update box.
4. Hit Get Updates. Once the update is complete, restart your computer and right-click the QBDT icon then choose Run as Administrator.

Then, let's update your tax table version:

1. Go to Employee, then Get Payroll Updates.
2. Select the Download entire payroll update radio-button.
3. Click Update.

However, you can manually update Line 5a (Taxable Social Security Wages) in QuickBooks Desktop, then submit the form to the IRS.

To learn more about how QBDT generates Form 941: How QuickBooks Populates The 941. Each line found on the form has a short description of how it's populated.

You're always welcome to drop by in QuickBooks Community if you have any other concerns about 941.

I tried updating everything and it still doesn't populate the 5a wages.

I appreciate you updating QuickBooks Desktop and the tax table, ssurber.

Let me help ensure you'll get the amount to populate in Line 5A. After the updates, you can log off QuickBooks and reboot your computer.  Once up, turn off all anti-virus software to allow the system in accessing the form (don't forget to turn it on later).

Once up, run QuickBooks as the administrator and you should have the latest tax table. Then, pull up again the form to see if the amount is already populated.

If it's not showing the latest version, the update didn't go through. You can turn off all anti-virus, then update it again (don't forget to turn it on later).

I also suggest opening a report to check the wage base amount if it's the same with the one on the form. Simply follow the steps below:

1. Go to the Reports menu.
2. Pick Employees & Payroll, then select Payroll Summary.
3. Click Customize Report, then select the Display tab.
4. Select Last Calendar Quarter from the Dates drop-down list.
5. In the Display columns by drop-down list, select Total Only, then clear the Hours and Rates checkboxes.
6. Proceed to the Filters tab.
7. Choose Payroll Item in the Filter drop-down list, then choose Selected payroll items in the Payroll Item drop-down list.
8. In the Payroll Item window, select Federal Withholding, Medicare Company, Medicare Employee, Social Security Company, and Social Security Employee. Clear any other selected items, then click OK.
9. Select OK to return to the Payroll Summary report.

Double-click the "Social Security Employee Total" amount to display the Transactions by Payroll Item report. The Wage Base column total minus the Wage Base (Tips) column total should equal line 5a, Column 1.

If the amount is still not populating, I recommend chatting with our QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Team. They can further investigate what's causing this behavior.

Feel free to comment below on how everything turns out. Just mention my name if you need anything else.

I spoke with the QuickBooks Payroll Team and they referred me to this link... I tried all the updates etc.  and nothing changed the error on Form 941 line 5a, I had to enter it myself and edit the form.  Frustrating... as I had thought that QB's would generate accurate reports. 

Welcome to this conversation, @Tpd1. I've got you some steps to ensure you're able to generate the correct report in the 941 form line 5a. 

Since you've already done running all updates, let's go to the next step. Let's run the Verify Rebuild tool to repair any potential data damage in your company file. Here's how: 

1. Go to the File menu, then click Utilities.
2. Select Rebuild Data.
3. Select OK in the QuickBooks Information window and follow the onscreen steps to save a backup.
4. Let the tool repair your file. It may take some time, but as long as you can move your mouse, the tool is working. 
5. Then, select OK when it's finished. 

Once done, go back to the File menu. Select Utilities again, and then click Verify Data. Let the tool check your file for data issues.

If QuickBooks doesn't find any error, click OK. Otherwise, select Rebuild Now.

I'd suggest you repeat this process even if there are no errors found. Then, follow the steps to run a payroll checkup. 

Once done, run Reboot.Bat to remove any errors in the program. Here's how: 

1. Close or shutdown the QuickBooks.
2. Open/access the folder that contains the reboot.bat file. 
3. Right-click on the 'QuickBooks' icon. Then, select Properties. 
4. Select Open file location.
5. Right-click the reboot.bat file, then choose Run as Administrator. Make sure that you run reboot.bat as the Windows Administrator. The file may display as reboot.bat or reboot, depending on your Windows Folder Options settings.
6. A Command (DOS) window (black window) will open with rapidly scrolling file names. Do not manually close this window. When the reboot.bat file utility has been completed, the window will close.
7. Check to see if this resolves the issue. If not, restart your computer.

Lastly, update QuickBooks and get payroll updates again while under safe mode. 

For future reference, you can also read through the Line 5a- Taxable social security wages and New! Line 5a (i) Qualified sick leave wages outlined in this help article: How QuickBooks Desktop Populates The lines on Form 941. 

Get back here if you have more questions related to this topic, @Tpd1. You can also start a new discussion in the Community should you have any other concerns. We're always here for you. 

I'm having this issue right now to summit form 941 for Q1 2023

my payroll update is 22310 

The Wage Base column total minus the Wage Base (Tips) column total is not equal line 5a, Column 1 in my form.

Greetings, @accountsaquatic. 

Thanks for chiming in on this thread about the 941 form within your QuickBooks Desktop account. Let me point you in the right direction to get this handled. 

Since none of the steps above worked for you, I recommend contacting our Support Team for further assistance. Here's how: 

1. Go to the Help menu.
2. Press the QuickBooks Desktop Help option.
3. Click the Contact us button/hyperlink.
4. Enter your question and hit Let's talk.
5. Scroll down and pick to Get a callback.

It's that easy! 

Keep us updated on how the call goes. I'm only a post away if you need any more details. Happy Friday! 

I followed your instructions and received a call, but they said they are investigating this issue and give a couple of days...how can I get an update. 

Hey accountsaquatic,

Thanks for sharing that question. Once you have been added to the investigation, you will be notified by email with all updates. Take care for now!