@cici1949 Yes, it seems crazy, but that's what I ended up doing, as did several others here. It did not affect the amount, and both my federal and state returns were accepted quickly.
At this point, it seems clear they're not going to fix it. So your choices are:
- Don't e-file. Pros: you don't break the 'rule'. Cons: painful, wasteful, slower refund.
- Don't use simplified method. Pros: you can e-file with minimal hassle. Cons: you break the 'rule' (but you don't cheat the IRS of any money).
