1099Q Box 2 & 3 are blank

[j0mike1993]

Today I was trying to input one of my children’s 1099Q’s. I have 4 children and have been receiving these forms for a decade. NEVER has there been amounts in box 2 and 3 for basis and earnings. NEVER has Turbo Tax required those amounts. Turbo Tax figures out your basis after you input your 1098T, 1099Q and all education expenses. You can find the calculations in IRS pub 970. This past year I spent hours on the phone with Vanguard trying to figure out the basis of a Coverdell I was rolling over. Their final answer was they don’t keep track of that amount because it’s done on your taxes. Turbo Tax needs to not require amounts in boxes 2 & 3 because I cannot proceed without an input that equals the distribution amount. All 4 of my children’s 1099Q boxes 2 and 3 are blank. Turbo Tax please correct this unnecessary input. Earlier I called Turbo Tax and requested a callback. The agent called me 50 minutes later, and at the beginning of the call, we were accidentally disconnected and the agent never called back, so I wasn’t able to resolve this issue. A software ticket needs to be submitted. 

[Hal_Al]

TT is working on a fix for the 1099-Q section which is expected by Feb 27.  But, I have no heard if your particular issue is being addressed.  I suggest you try again after 2-27-26. 

Alternatively, you can just not enter the 1099-Q.  

The 1099-Q is  only an informational document. The numbers on it are not required to be entered onto your (or your student's) tax return. The interview is complicated and it's easy to make mistakes. Avoid it if you can and you probably can. 

You can just not report the 1099-Q, at all, if your student-beneficiary has sufficient educational expenses, including room & board (even if he lives at home) to cover the distribution. When the box 1 amount on form 1099-Q is fully covered by expenses, TurboTax will enter nothing about the 1099-Q on the actual tax forms. But, it will prepare a 1099-Q worksheet for your records (you don’t need it). You would still have to do the math to see if there were enough expenses left over for you to claim the tuition credit. You also cannot count expenses that were paid by tax free scholarships.

References:

1. On form 1099-Q, instructions to the recipient reads: "Nontaxable distributions from CESAs and QTPs are not required to be reported on your income tax return. You must determine the taxability of any distribution." 
2. IRS Pub 970 states: “Generally, distributions are tax free if they aren't more than the beneficiary's AQEE for the year. Don't report tax-free distributions (including qualifying rollovers) on your tax return”.
3. "IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education states: If the entire 1099-Q went to qualified expenses, room and board, tuition, etc; then, you do not need to enter the form."