"TT has all the info it needs to calculate taxes without asking for the 2019 y/e balance."
That's a false statement. There are two situations where your tax liability cannot be determined without entering your year-end balance in traditional IRAs: The calculation of the nontaxable amount of a traditional IRA contribution when you have basis in nondeductible traditional IRA contributions (Form 8606) and the calculation of a penalty for an excess traditional IRA contribution (Form 5329).
To complete the calculations on Form 8606, TurboTax has to assume something for the missing amount needed on line 6.
Years ago I suggested to Intuit that TurboTax's Smart Check should issue an error indication if Form 8606 is needed to calculate the nontaxable and taxable amounts of a traditional IRA distribution if the year-end value has not been provided, but they have not implemented this suggestion.
Keep in mind that any calculation of a refund or balance due is almost meaningless until you have fully completed your tax return.
