The instructions from Turbotax are not particularly clear upon the subject of entering zero if your 2020 return has not been processed. To quote:
"If you’re still waiting for your 2020 tax return to be processed, enter $0 for your prior year’s adjusted gross income (AGI) on your 2021 tax return. You’ll need to provide your AGI to e-file your 2021 tax return."
It says enter zero, but note that it does not say enter zero to e-file. It says to e-file, "You’ll need to provide your AGI to e-file your 2021 tax return."
1. It says provide your AGI, not a zero AGI.
2. Nothing is wrong with saying "If you’re still waiting for your 2020 tax return to be processed, entering $0 for your prior year’s adjusted gross income (AGI) will allow you to e-file your 2021 tax return," making it clearer and more concise in one fell swoop.
