What is taking Form 8915, Qualified Hurricane Retirement Plan Distributions so long to get released? First it was 2/8/18, then 2/15/18, 2/23/18, now its saying 3/1/18.

[CarolC · Accepted solution]

The print version of Form 8915B, Qualified Hurricane Retirement Plan Distributions & Repayments is available in TurboTax.  You will need to print and mail in your tax return as the IRS has not released the e-file version of the form.  The e-file version should be available from the IRS sometime in April.  However, the exact date is unknown at this time.

With the many hurricanes and other disasters in 2017, as well as the major tax legislation that Congress passed in December, the IRS has a lot of work to do in a very short period of time.  

Here's another update that may apply to you.  Last week, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.  There are tax breaks that expired last year and now are available again for 2017.  So taxpayers who filed their 2017 tax return already may need to amend to take advantage of these extended laws.  Click this TurboTax article Government Shutdown Averted and Tax Provisions Providing Tax Relief Passed to see if any apply to you.

You may view the TurboTax FAQ below with the expected release date of Form 8915B and other IRS pending forms.  Click "See entire answer" for the full list view.

[Edited 3.24.18 | 10:00 PM]

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3319876

[CarolC]

@huffman1 The IRS release date for Form 8915 has changed. The new date is now 3/8/18.

[huffman1]

Now it’s giving a date of 3/15/18. Why is this taking so long?

[macuser_22]

The "form" you see is simply a look alike of the paper version for the form that is only used for your data entry.  e-file "forms" never get transmitted to the IRS, only the encrypted data that you entered gets sent to the IRS and must be in the format specified by the IRS or the IRS computer could not read it.

The 8915A & 8915B forms are brand new forms that never existed before so that requires new electronic form specifications (schema's) to be written and tested before e-file providers can release them.  That usually takes the IRS 2-3 weeks after the pdf form is released.  The pdf forms were just released by the IRS on Feb 28.

[ghalibabbasi]

This form is available on IRS web site as of 3/6/18.  Not sure why TurboTax lists "print-only" availability as 3/22/18.  Here is the IRS form link:  <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8915b.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8915b.pdf</a>

[macuser_22]

The "Relief for hurricane distributions"  Requires  forms 8915A/B that now has a 3/22/18 target date.


 The IRS  only released the paper/pdf for the new 2017 8915A and 8915B forms on 3/6/18  and the electronic schema specification are usually released by the IRS about 2 weeks after the pdf version.   E-file providers must comply with the IRS schema rules to e-file.

After the IRS provides the electronic "schema" for the form, both the IRS and e-file providers must apply those new schemas to their software and conduct compatibility tests.  Only after the IRS approves the test results can the forms be released in an update.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure next week it will say 03/29, just hope it's ready by 04/15.

[jineyaj]

It still says 3/22, and the 2017 8915B form is available on the IRS site. However it days Print Only in Turbo tax, not e-file? So that means we still have to wait even longer to
properly submit? I don't know if I want to wait. If I print it out and mail it, how does that effect the Turbo Tax filing?

[bsthibeaux]

When will form 8915b be available for e-file? I was told 3/21 afternoon, then 3/22, it's 3/23 and still not available for efile. Will this form ever be integrated into the turbotax software for e-file??

[macuser_22]

I have been told "never" but I have asked for a clarification.  There is a paper file only form and no e-file date at all.

I have asked if that is a IRS restriction or a TurboTax decision.

[jineyaj]

How is it to be handled then if you have to print it out in conjunction with e-filing on TurboTax?

[macuser_22]

You don't, since the 8915B must be attached to the tax return.   The entire tax return must be printed and mailed.

[ghalibabbasi]

I was able today to e-file form 8915B.  Thank you TurboTax!