I have TRIED to leave box 9a blank, since it's blank on the 1099R, but TurboTax will not let me proceed unless a value is given!
I'm not aware of any circumstances where TurboTax requires an entry in box 9a. As far as I know, box 9a on TurboTax's 1099-R form can always be left blank. Box 9a is informational only, for use when the distribution reported on the Form 1099-R is one of several made to multiple beneficiaries of a decedent. I suggest deleting and reentering the Form 1099-R.
It did not require box 9a to be filled on any of my other 1099-R forms. This one was imported. I finally got around it by selecting “Forms,” choosing that one and manually deleted the 0.00 that TurboTax had inserted. Then TT finally accepted the form.
I just had the same issue filing an imported 1099-R for 2020. Selecting "forms" and deleting the value worked for me.
Still happening in Feb 2022. Doing 2021 taxes. It happens when you import the information (1099-R). The field is filled with zero and when you try and continue it says "must be at least .01". The work around is to delete the zero in that field and then it is fine. This is a work around and glitch and I would think it would be fixed by now since this original post is a few years old.
Sue
Just got off the phone with support cause I was having the same issue. I couldn't even go back and delete and manually enter the form because I was at the very end and it wouldn't let me proceed until I "fixed" the mistake. Turns out, I had to delete the 0.00 in the box and leave it completely blank. Hope this helps others!