This is great. The last two suggestions make a lot of sense. I will summarize both of them here in one place, and then add what I did for TT phone support.
Both of these are suggested work-arounds for Turbo Tax not working for multiple 1099r. It would be better if TT would fix it, but otherwise:
1)Assuming you have taken distributions at least equal to your RMD, for each 1099r put in the calculated RMD where asked, and put in that same amount when asked how much you have taken as a distribution. At least one tax expert agrees this is OK. I think there may be multiple corner cases where this doesn't work. ie an IRA without a 1099r, or if the amount of RMD distribution you claim for one IRA exceeds the total distribution maybe TT will not accept, etc. I leave it to someone else to test the corner cases. If you have not paid enough in you will have to jockey the numbers.
2)Combine all your 1099r for one person into one composite 1099r. It seems like TT should give the correct result for this for all cases, since it seems to handle one 1099r. Even if something gets triggered on your return for a human review it would be cleared immediately if the totals line up.
I am still skeptical about how much the IRS knows about your RMD. They certainly do know your total RMD if they want to from the form 5498 filed by the administrator for every IRA. It has the total account value at the prior year end, and a check box whether you are required to take RMDs. The IRS does know your age, so it is remedial to compute the amount. I also am not too sure about the statement that the only thing that matters is form 1040 line 4, IRA distributions. For sure it this total matches the sum of all 1099r, that is good. But an accurate form 5329 is also important and should be correct for RMD amount and distributions.
I also am not too sure about the account administrators being responsible to make sure you take your RMDs. I think they are required to inform you, but they cannot be help responsible for compliance because you may take your distribution from an IRA at a different company. Enforcement responsibilities belongs to the IRS. That is why RMD compliance and penalties is in your tax return.
TT phone support-
If you go in through your account using Turbo Tax a case number will be assigned even before you call. They can put the results of your case into your account so the call history is recorded.
Open Turbo tax>Help on top ribbon>Turbo Tax Help Center>Ask the bot your question
When you get the answer there will be a list of suggestions. Click the button "Get Even More Help".
State your question again, and select "Call Us"
A phone number is then supplied with a case number. When I called this way I got very good support and the history was in my account when I called back later.
