Form 8606 Line 4 is blank (backdoor roth)

[delitacat]

I answered "0" for the question "Tell us how much of the above total contribution for 2021 you contributed between January 1, 2022 and April 18, 2022." This question corresponds to line 4 on form 8606. However, when I view my form, line 4 is blank. Other lines correctly have a zero. Why is line 4 staying blank and how can I fix it?

Thanks!

[macuser_22]

You answered zero for what question?

If you took no 2021 IRA distribution then line 4 should be blank.    The 8606 instructions say of no IRA distribution then skip the rest of part I.

[delitacat]

I made a Roth IRA conversion so, per the instructions, I have to go to line 4.

On line 4, it asks: "Enter those contributions included on line 1 that were made from January 1, 2022, through April 18, 2022." It should say "0." but instead it is blank/empty.

[DanaB27]

You do not need to fix it, it is fine that line 4 stays blank if you didn't make a contribution between January 1, 2022 and April 18, 2022. Line 5 should have the amount of line 3 in your case (if you made a distribution/conversion).

Please be aware, line 4 only has to be completed if you made a conversion or distribution in 2021.

[delitacat]

Thanks! Yes, I made a conversion in 2021. Line 3 and 5 are correct, but I wish TurboTax could fix this so that line 4 correctly shows a "0" instead of being blank.

[macuser_22]

 A zero amount IS a blank.    An actual zero is not allowed in most IRS forms.   A actual zero "0" would be an error.  Line 5 is for "the amount" which cannot be zero - zero is not an amount, it is the opposite of an amount.

[delitacat]

Several other lines on my form 8606 have a "0".

[macuser_22]

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@delitacat wrote:

Several other lines on my form 8606 have a "0".

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The form specifically says NOT to complete line 4 if there is no 2021 distribution.    Entering anything on line 4, including zero, would not be skipping it.

[delitacat]

Again, I'm not supposed to skip line 4 because I did a roth conversion. The form specifically says: "In 2021, did you take a distribution from traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRAs, or make a Roth IRA conversion?" My answer is yes--I did make a Roth IRA conversion in 2021--so I have to go to line 4.

[dmertz]

If all of the contributions for 2021 were made in 2021, it is correct for line 4 of Form 8606 to be blank.  Line 4 does not need to have a zero.  The instruction next to line 4 says, "Enter the those contributions on line 1 that were made from January 1, 2022 through April 18, 2022."  With no contributions made during that period, there is nothing to enter.  The result on line 5 will be the amount from line 3.

[macuser_22]

To have a line 4 entry yiu need two things, 1) A 2021 IRA distribution on a 1099-R form AND 2) a 2022 IRA contribution for 2021 made between Jan 1 2022 and Apr 18, 2022.