Why doesn't form 8949 page 1 print?

[wmjamescall]

I can't get Form 8949 to print both pages.  When you print just the form or the entire tax return all you get is page number 2.  Page number 1 does not print.  I cannot cut and paste or copy etc.  How do I get page 1 to print.  (Had this same problem last year.)

[nyinyeb · Accepted solution]

If only one of the parts applies (that is, you only have short term gains, or you only have long term gains), you only print the part (part 1 or part 2) that applies.

The following is directly from the IRS's 2016 Instructions for Form 8949, (Page 3, Box F): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8949.pdf:

''You don't need to complete and file an entire copy of Form 8949 (Part I and Part II) if you can check a single box to describe all your transactions. In that case, complete and file either Part I or Part II and check the box that describes the transactions. Otherwise, complete a separate Part I or Part II for each category of your transactions''

Page 1 of Form 8949 is for short-term transactions, and page 2 is for long-term transactions. If you have no short-term transactions, then page 1 is inactive. Essentially each page functions as a separate form.

[anotheryear]

I encountered the same problem. I entered short-term (loss) information as well as long-term gains, but page 1 of form 8949 doesn't appear in the final report, only page 2. Schedule D does include both the short and long term information.

I used another tax product and it successfully creates both pages of form 8949.

[JamesG1]

There are instances where certain transactions are not required to be displayed on IRS form 8949.

IRS form 8949 Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets Part I displays a Note.

Note: 

You may aggregate all short-term transactions reported on Form(s) 1099-B showing basis was reported to the IRS and for which no adjustments or codes are required. Enter the totals directly on Schedule D, line 1a; you are not required to report these transactions on Form 8949 (see instructions).

@anotheryear 

[anotheryear]

As I reviewed the final tax package, the fact that form 8949 page 1 was missing stood out and just looked wrong; that in turn led me to search the Internet for an explanation. Personally I don't think being technically correct is worth the confusion. It seems simpler to just present both pages of form 8949 🙂