Got it, the TT walkthrough is crappy because it guides you to enter the distributions from 1099-Q, without subsequently allowing you to put in other non-tuition expenses (such as room & board) that are permitted for 529 plans.
The correct answer is that YOU DON'T NEED TO INPUT 1099-Q DISTRIBUTIONS, at all, if you determine that your allowable expenses exceed the distributions from 1099-Q. Don't wait for TT to fix a bug. Ignore the 1099-Q question, keep your receipts, and be done with it.
