Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 3
posted Dec 29, 2020 4:30:24 AM

Early IRA distribution under CARES act

I took an early IRA distribution under the CARES act due to COVID-19.

I would like to spread the tax over 3 years as allowed under CARES.

How do I enter this in Turbotax Premier? Is this functionality supported yet? 

So far, I do not see any questions that allow to classify early distribution under CARES to avoid early withdrawal penalty - 

nor a question whether to split tax over 3 years.

I know it's still early - I'm self-employed and trying to get an estimate for 2020 and decide whether to made final estimated tax payment in January.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

1 24 5623
24 Replies
Level 15
Dec 29, 2020 5:33:53 AM

This has not yet been implemented in 2020 TurboTax.  When implemented, you can expect it to behave similarly to the way the reporting of hurricane and wildfire disaster distributions was done in the past.

 

If you plan on spreading the income over 3 years, for estimated-tax planning purposes you could try entering a code 2 Form 1099-R for a distribution of 1/3 of the actual amount of the distribution.  (The maximum CRD is $100,000, so any actual amount distributed beyond $100,000 that would need to be entered separately with code 1).  This form will have the amount in boxes 1 and 2a, box 2b Taxable amount not determined marked, code 2 in box 7, the IRA/SEP/SIMPLE box marked, and any taxes withheld in the boxes for federal and state tax withholding.

Level 2
Jan 25, 2021 7:39:20 AM

i took an early distribution from my IRA due to COVID-what code do i use when entering by 1099R-?

Merrill Lynch put code 1 in the box 7, can I insert code 2 saying "with Exception"-however there is nothing about the CARES act or COVID as an explanation, I dont want to make a mistake and be audited so please make sure your answer is correct-thank you so much

Expert Alumni
Jan 25, 2021 7:47:36 AM

You will report this on a Form 8915-E.  The IRS has not yet finalized the Form 8915-E for retirement plan distributions under the CARES act.  So this form cannot be included in the TurboTax program.  You will not be able to proceed until the form is available.

 

The IRS has not communicated when the form will be finalized for inclusion on the 2020 federal tax return.

 

We estimate it will be sometime in February 2021 before the form is available.  You can watch this link for the form availability.  Currently, the form is not listed here since there is no estimated date.  Once there is, you will find the form listed with the date available.  

 

IRS forms availability table for TurboTax individual (personal) tax products

 

Additionally, the IRS will not start processing returns until February 12, so waiting for this form is not slowing down the processing of your return.

Level 2
Feb 5, 2021 6:04:29 AM

Hi

any idea when this form for early withdraw due to COVID will be available 

please advise

thank You 

Level 15
Feb 5, 2021 6:05:32 AM


@leuchtmannw wrote:

Hi

any idea when this form for early withdraw due to COVID will be available 

please advise

thank You 


 This form has not been finalized by the IRS for filing with a 2020 federal tax return.  The IRS has not announced when this form will be available.  Once available it will be included in the TurboTax software.

We estimate the form may be available sometime in February.

Returning Member
Feb 7, 2021 7:49:23 PM

how do i complete my taxes wiyh turbo showing 10% penalty

Expert Alumni
Feb 8, 2021 5:13:43 AM

You will report this on a Form 8915-E.  The IRS has not yet finalized the Form 8915-E for retirement plan distributions under the CARES act.  So this form cannot be included in the TurboTax program.  You will not be able to proceed until the form is available.

 

The IRS has not communicated when the form will be finalized for inclusion on the 2020 federal tax return.

 

We estimate it will be sometime in February 2021 before the form is available.  You can watch this link for the form availability.  Currently, the form is not listed here since there is no estimated date.  Once there is, you will find the form listed with the date available.  

 

IRS forms availability table for TurboTax individual (personal) tax products

 

Additionally, the IRS will not start processing returns until February 12, so waiting for this form is not slowing down the processing of your return.

 

 

Please sign-up here and we will email you once the form is live.

Level 2
Feb 17, 2021 5:33:23 PM

I can see the form on the IRS website, when do we expect to be able to enter this info in TT?  I just tried it this evening and I didn't see a reference to it when editing my SEP withdrawal.  Thanks!

Expert Alumni
Feb 17, 2021 5:41:46 PM

At this point in time the Form 8915-E (Qualified 2020 Disaster Retirement
Plan Distributions and Repayments (Used for Coronavirus-Related Distributions)) is not finalized.

 

The 8915-E Form is projected to be e-fileable starting 02/24/2021

 

Please sign-up here and we will email you once the form is live.

New Member
Feb 18, 2021 12:47:05 PM

Will form 8915-E be added to the Free File version on the same timeline?

I have currently indicated in my return that the early distribution was taken for "Other Reasons", but I'm not sure where to find that selection and remove it once the Form 8915-E is available.

Expert Alumni
Feb 18, 2021 1:03:42 PM

Yes. Form 8915-E: Qualified 2020 Disaster Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments, which is used for COVID-related early distributions, will be e-fileable starting 2/24.  The IRS is updating form 5329’s instructions to make it clear that COVID related exceptions cannot use 5329 and should use the new 8915-E.  While there income qualifications to access the TurboTax FreeFile program, all the form available in regular TurboTax will be available in FreeFile.  Click here to be added to the email list when the form is available in TurboTax.

 

To access your 1099R, after you have logged in and are in your return:

  • Go to Search at the top of the screen.
  • then enter Form 1099-R in the search box. 
  • You will see a Jump To function that will take you to the 1099-R input screens. 
  • There select the 1099-R you are working on and continue through the screens to the penalty waiver section.  Remove the "Other" penalty waiver reason.

The pandemic has affected your taxes in many ways. Including reporting in TurboTax the amount of stimulus money you received. Click Here for more information on how the Pandemic affected your 2020  taxes.

 

Level 2
Feb 18, 2021 2:39:30 PM

Thanks!  I am using the Home & Business version, so I hope that will be updated.  Do you know if TT will guide me through the Cares Act exemption or will I need to manually fill out the form? 

Expert Alumni
Feb 18, 2021 2:48:36 PM

TurboTax will guide you through filling out Form 8915-E to receive the CARES Act exemption. The program will ask the questions in a understandable and logical way.

Level 1
Feb 24, 2021 9:55:02 PM

Looks like the form 8915-E will be available via Turbotax on 2/25/2021. Thank you.

New Member
Feb 28, 2021 10:23:02 AM

Soon to be March.  Any word yet on when 8915-E will be incorporated?

 

-- Never mind, I see it's there already.

Level 2
Feb 28, 2021 10:35:45 AM

I've been told its been implemented. I haven't looked yet.

Expert Alumni
Mar 1, 2021 8:42:09 AM

Form 8915-E is available in TurboTax CD/Download and Online versions

 

Please make sure your program is up-to-date.  In TurboTax CD/Download, you will be prompted to download any updates available when you open the program.  You can also update the program while you have it open by following these steps:

 

  1. Click on the Online link in the black bar at the top of the page.
  2. Click on Check for Updates.
  3. TurboTax will download and install any updates available.  If there aren't any updates, you will receive the message "Your software is up to date."

TurboTax Online automatically updates the website when the forms become available.

 

Be sure you go through the 1099R entry screens again.  In the screens following the 1099-R entry screen:

  • You will see a series of questions to see if you are exempt from the additional taxes on early withdrawals [Screenshot #1, below]; and 
  • You will  be asked if you want to pay all the tax this year of just 1/3, with the rest reported over the next two years. [Screenshot #2]  Check the box if want to pay tax on the entire retirement distribution in 2020.

 

Screenshot #1

 

 

Screenshot #2

@pepper

@stirfry84

Level 2
May 9, 2021 10:04:42 AM

I received $20,000 as an early withdrawal from my SEP due to Covid hardship during 2020.  After Jan 1, 2021 I repaid $10,000 of that early withdrawal.  Where do I record this?  It is not on my 1099 and I have been told I am not receiving anything from my SEP provider regarding the repayment.  It appears that if I open up Form 8915-E, I can record the repayment on line 18.  Does this seem correct? 

Expert Alumni
May 9, 2021 2:38:59 PM

You do not record any repayments made in 2021 on your 2020 tax return. Every year is separate.

Level 2
May 9, 2021 3:11:57 PM

If that is true, why does line 18 say "Enter the total amount of any repayments you made before filing your 2020 tax return. But don’t include any repayments made later than the due date (including extensions) for that return. Don’t use this form to report repayments of qualified 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019 disaster distributions." ? 

Level 15
May 9, 2021 3:20:45 PM


@pepper wrote:

If that is true, why does line 18 say "Enter the total amount of any repayments you made before filing your 2020 tax return. But don’t include any repayments made later than the due date (including extensions) for that return. Don’t use this form to report repayments of qualified 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019 disaster distributions." ? 


Any repayment made before the May 17 filing date or the extended filing date if an extension was filed or the 2020 tax return was timely filed (which is an automatic extension) is deemed to have been made in 2020,   After that it is a 2021 repayment.

 

Per the form 8915-E rules for line 10 & 18.

New Member
May 17, 2021 4:31:23 PM

I took $99k as an early distribution from my IRA due to COVID hardship.   I had them withhold plenty of cash to cover the tax.  Now, I don't have the second screen shot question appearing for me, asking if I want to pay all the tax this year versus spreading it out over three years.  I'm getting $20k back in a refund but I don't want to have the extra tax hanging over my head for the next two years.   How can I force that screen to appear?

Level 15
May 17, 2021 4:40:16 PM


@dealboyd wrote:

I took $99k as an early distribution from my IRA due to COVID hardship.   I had them withhold plenty of cash to cover the tax.  Now, I don't have the second screen shot question appearing for me, asking if I want to pay all the tax this year versus spreading it out over three years.  I'm getting $20k back in a refund but I don't want to have the extra tax hanging over my head for the next two years.   How can I force that screen to appear?


It should appear automatically.  

 

If you are using the online version then:  Try deleting the 1099-R and the 8915E form and re-enter the 1099-R?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-view-and-delete-forms-in-turbotax-online/01/25593?search-action-id=164563578879&search-result-uid=25593

 

If using the CD/download desktop version then switch to the forms mode and select the 8915E form and near the bottom of Part I you will find "Taxable 3 year spread Worksheet"  Check the box to pay it all in 2020, uncheck to spread over 3 years.

 

New Member
May 17, 2021 4:49:19 PM

Thank You!  Thank You!   That worked.  😀