Just don't enter the 1099-Q, if your student-beneficiary has sufficient educational expenses (including high school tuition) to cover the distribution. When the box 1 amount on form 1099-Q is fully covered by expenses, TurboTax (TT) will enter nothing about the 1099-Q on the actual tax forms. That is, TT has no way to tell the IRS that you used the funds for qualified expenses. Keep you receipts in case of an IRS inquiry.
If you insist on entering the 1099-Q, TT asks, at the 1099-Q interview, what level of school the student attended*. When you answer High school or elementary, it then gives you a screen to enter the expenses. It is not necessary to visit the college education expenses section of the program.
In TurboTax (TT), enter at:
Federal Taxes Tab (Personal for H&B version)
Deductions & Credits
-Scroll down to:
--Education
--ESA and 529 Qualified Tuition Programs (1099-Q)
*Click done at the Form 1099-Q summary screen and the school level question is on the next screen
