While I somewhat agree with you that the software shouldn't be released until truly ready....however, a lot of forms can be ready for simple tax returns (W2- and interest only) long before the more complex ones with 1099-R, SE taxes and investmenstts..etc....so why should those millions of people wait.
..dealing with your final point abut QCDs
If you have trouble with the QCD this year, don't wing-it....come back and ask questions and detail how you entered it. and what the form 1040 actually shows for that IRA distribution in lines 4a and 4b of the 2020 form 1040.
Have no idea what went wrong with your 2018 QCD, and it would be tough to figure out in this forum without many details.....but it worked properly for many thousands of QCD folks in all prior years.
____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*
