Let me try to explain (steps for me for my rental properties Schedule E)
Advance warning - make sure you match section titles and years exactly. There are other sections with similar name and for previous years in worksheet, so don't get wrong numbers/years.
1) If you are able to restart from stratch for 2020 taxes i.e. ditch current file, update your Turbotax 2020 and import 2019 files and re enter your current year data. Then you will not face this issue.
2) If your taxes are complex and you would rather not spend that much time, then
a) Open last year's tax file in turbotax 2019 (last year software). Swith to form mode. Go to Schedule E (if you have multiple then you have to do it multiple times). Scroll until you reach a section called "Carryforward to 2020 Smart worksheet". Under that there will be a section called "Passive Loss Carryover". Copy three numbers in three columns from line G (now onwardsreferred as DataElements A). Then scroll again until you reach very bottom to section "Passive Loss Carryforwards to 2020 by year and category". Copy all numbers. (now onwards referred as DataElements B). I took screenshots to make it easier to keep track.
b) Open turbotax 2020, Go to your rental property page. Click 'Edit'. Click 'update' next to 'Property Profile' . Continue Until you reach a screen asking 'Do Any of these situations apply to this property'. Select checkbox under 'Carryover->I have passive activity real estate loses carried over from prior year'. Click continue. On new screen enter DataElements A from previous step (order of fields is wonky so make sure you get right number in right field). Click next. Depending on numbers you entered you might get a new screen with title "Enter info about passive losses". If you do, then you will see sections titled "Regular tax" and "QBI Deduction" for year 2018 and 2019. Copy numbers from DataElements B. The screen already has a total under years 2018 and 2019 giving wrong impression that it is total of year 2018 and 2019. However, that has loss carried over from earlier years too. So ignore the total amount and just enter data from DataElements B.
Now even after doing all that step, 'smart' check may still show errors in this area and drop you in forms mode and ask you to enter some missing data. In that case again refer to your DataElements A and DataElements B and fill appropriate field.
Repeat above steps if you have other schedule E's. Hope this helps.
Disclaimer: I am not a tax expert, so take above information at your own risk or consult a tax professional. 🙂
And you are welcome!
