It is unusual for Box 9a to require an entry. Generally this is required only when the distribution is split between people. The link below should assist you in entering the correct number:
Form another posting by macuser_22:
Don't enter anything - leave it blank. zero is not a valid entry.
(Box 9a is only used if the box 1 amount was split between 2 or more payees and tells you what your share is. A "0" (zero) would indicate that the 1099-R is reporting your share of nothing, which would be nonsense.)
Some payers insist on putting zero in the box to indicate that it is not used, when they should leave it blank according to the 1099-R form rules. TurboTax follows the rules and complains if it is zero.
The foregoing should assist you in finalizing your 1099-R entry.
The problem is turbotax won't let me leave it blank. It's red and won't let me continue unless I put "at least 0.01".
Hi,
I'm having the same problem and I need additional assistance. I tried deleting and re-adding the problematic 1099-R forms but that didn't resolve the issue. I have two 1099R forms from the same retirement plan. I moved to a different state last year so I have one 1099R for each state. I called the firm and they insisted that 9a should be blank. Turboxtax is converting their blank into 0.00. I'm running the Turbotax home and business app on a Mac. Thanks in advance for your help.
just report one 1099R from both 1099R's. The only information that will be different will be the state information in Boxes 14-16, which need to be reported separately. There will be extra boxes for reporting the two states.
Box 9A should be blank. I am not sure why it is defaulting to 0.00. Try consolidating the 1099R into one form and see if this clears the error.
Thanks for your help! I was able to backspace out the 0.00 number that showed up in box 9A after the import. The software then allowed me to file.