I received a Vanguard 1099-DIV that listed out my 3 funds. Each fund has it's own unique TIN (Box 3). Can I still enter the sum of all 3 fund's Box 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 15 ) and report it as one 1099-DIV ?
For example:
Box 1a Box 1b Box 2a Box 3 (TIN)
Fund 1) 500 Index 1 2 0 23-1999755
Fund 2) US Growth 1 2 2 04-6035483
Fund 3) Cash MM 1 2 0 23-6607979
Can I enter as one Broker or Payer entry ? I would enter the Broker as Vanguard. Then enter $3 for box 1a, $6 for box 1b, and $2 for box 2a. What do I enter when it ask me for Federal ID Number (FEIN) since there are 3 different box 3 numbers (TIN = FEIN) ?
why Turbotax asks for the EIN is a question I've long had because it doesn't get entered on schedule B and is not transmitted to the IRS on e-filing. I use the desktop version forms mode and don't enter the FEIN and never had an issue e-filing because I didn't enter the number. I answer no when in step-by-step mode when it asks for the FEIN
All of that extra entry of numbers is not required and is only in the program for the taxpayer's use only as you correctly pointed out. You can make one entry for VANGUARD if you wish to combine them yourself just make sure your math is accurate. Otherwise you can use the program as an adding machine.