I'm trying to file my federal taxes, as I've been waiting for form 8915-F to be available to e-file through Turbotax. Now it's sending me into a loop asking me for a FEMA disaster code. However, on the IRS site, it's stating that I need to just click a box for the Coronavirus, but since the distribution was done in 2020 under the CARES Act there is no disaster code or name. I called and talked to someone, who did nothing but send me the IRS instructions. I'd really like to actually file since I've been waiting on this form for over a month now.
@FangxiaL I’ve checked that box, and it’s still stating I need a name and code to e-file.
I don't see anywhere it is asking me for the FEMA code.
Try to follow these steps:
I'm having the same issue, it keeps asking me for a fema code after it does the scan to make sure my return doesn't have any errors
You can enter the word "None" in this field and you will clear the error.
@molliejeanners @maortiz
I am having the same issue. The coronavirus related distributions box is already checked. I am being asked for a disaster name and number at the Federal Review step when checking for errors. Why are we being told to enter the word “none” when this section was left blank on my previous year’s tax return? This seems like an error that needs to be corrected especially since we’ve waited so long for this form.
Appendix B Qualified Disaster Areas by Year from Instructions for Form 8915-F states:
Virus SARS-CoV-2 or coronavirus disease 2019 (referred to collectively in these instructions as coronavirus)
Are you able to enter 'Coronavirus' or 'Virus SARS-CoV-2' and pass Federal Review?
@Moana1
@JamesG1 Thank you! That's what I did to clear the error message and proceed. However, it specifically says on the form "Don't list the coronavirus in item C". Hopefully it will be okay.
@JulieS Thank you! I entered Covid Distribution instead of a FEMA number (even though the form specifically says do not list the coronavirus in Item C. It was the only way to clear the error message and move on. Hope this will be okay.
Which amount do I enter from my 1099-R? Do I enter 1/3 of the amount in Box 1 of 1099-R, or the total amount? I would be helpful to have prompts for 8915-F.
Are you entering IRS Form 1099-R information or Qualified 2020 Disaster Distribution information at the screen Did you take a 2020 Qualified Disaster Distribution?
IRS Form 8915 information is entered at the screen Did you take a 2020 Qualified Disaster Distribution? I was able to report Qualified 2020 Disaster Distributions from Part II and Part III from the 2020 8915-E by following these steps.
I also reported that:
You may view the distributions on the 2021 Federal 1040 tax return at Tax Tools / Tools / View Tax Summary / Preview my 1040. You may view Form 8915-F at Tax Tools / Print Center / Print, save or preview this year's return / Include government and TurboTax worksheets.
Form 8915-F Part II distributions may be found on line 5b of the 2021 Federal 1040 tax return. The distribution is not reflected in box 5a. See entries for Part II of Form 8915-F on lines 12, 13 and 15.
Form 8915-F Part III distributions may be found on line 4b of the 2021 Federal 1040 tax return. The distribution is not reflected in box 4a. See entries for Part III of Form 8915-F on lines 23, 24 and 26.
hoping you can help me here.
My input on the the "Total Qualified Disaster Distribution Reported in 2020" screen was $10,000 on the "2020 Form 8915E, Line 17" line. Why did this amount not transfer to my 2021 Return Form 8915F line 23?
The IRS used Form 8915-E in 2020 and created the new Form 8915-F or 2021. It was very late being released (March 24th) which was causing delays for taxpayers who needed the form to complete their tax returns. You can use your 2020 Form 8915-E, then follow the steps provide by our Tax Expert @JamesG1, to complete your form.
@jgirkin11
My prompts are not matching up with what the expert recommended. He said to say "no" when it asked if I received a 1099-R this year in order to prompt the other Coronovirus-related questions. However, I did receive an unrelated 1099-R for a 401K withdrawal taken in 2021. I've entered that information but am unclear how to enter the one-third I need to enter from my 2020 withdrawal. Also, I'm using the online program not the software if that helps.
Follow these steps in TurboTax online.
You may view the distributions on the 2021 Federal 1040 tax return at Tax Tools / Tools / View Tax Summary / Preview my 1040. You may view Form 8915-F at Tax Tools / Print Center / Print, save or preview this year's return / Include government and TurboTax worksheets.
Form 8915-F Part II distributions may be found on line 5b of the 2021 Federal 1040 tax return. The distribution is not reflected in box 5a. See entries for Part II of Form 8915-F on lines 12, 13 and 15.
Form 8915-F Part III distributions may be found on line 4b of the 2021 Federal 1040 tax return. The distribution is not reflected in box 4a. See entries for Part III of Form 8915-F on lines 23, 24 and 26.
I'm not getting the messages as the expert lists them.
I mark no on a withdrawal for 2021 from my 401k and then it asks about the COVID distribution in former years and I click yes and continue but it doesn't ask about form 8915-F instead I get a message saying I have to "visit the Form 1099-R Retirement topic" in under wages and income under federal tax section. Note I have $0 listed under this.
While the pdf of my 2021 taxes is showing that the program did use 8915-F it is causing a problem on my PA taxes. I paid the state taxes owed on the full amount of the withdrawal in my 2020 Pa taxes so why do I need a 1099-R form now.
It keeps asking me to put in payer, recipient and amount on the form. If I leave it blank it gives me an error message on the federal tax review so how do I remove it from both tax filings?
I forgot to also note I'm using TurboTax CD for Mac - if that makes a difference.
PA dealt with the entire distribution last year. There is nothing COVID related to distribution on your PA return. There should not be a 1099-R question. Neither should you have a 1099-R in the federal. For the federal section, you go to the 1099-R section and answer the questions about the distribution but there is no 1099-R to enter.
Let's double check the federal steps you took:
@jcn35_99 You may need to Contact Us
This is happening to me, except Turbotax does NOT catch the issue; it tells me everything is correct. When I submit my Federal taxes I get a rejection regarding this code that I can't seem to find in the TurboTax software to correct! All my info is input as shown in all these fixes listed. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!
I would like to take a deeper look at this. However, I need a diagnostic file which is a copy of your tax return that has all of your personal information removed. You can send one to us by following the directions below:
TurboTax Online:
Sign into your online account.
Locate the Tax Tools on the left-hand side of the screen.
A drop-down will appear. Select Tools
On the pop-up screen, click on “Share my file with agent.”
This will generate a message that a diagnostic file gets sanitized and transmitted to us.
Please provide the Token Number that was generated in the response.
TurboTax Desktop/Download Versions:
Open your return.
Click the Online tab in the black bar across the top of TurboTax and select “Send Tax File to Agent”
This will generate a message that a diagnostic copy will be created. Click on OK and the tax file will be sanitized and transmitted to us.
Please provide the Token Number that was generated in the response.