topic Re: Disaster Distribution in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Disaster Distribution

smason1284 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:26:36 GMT

I have finished my taxes and TurboTax will not allow me to file because I took a Virus Relief out of my IRA in 12/2020. I checked the box that I took a disaster relief between 2018-2020 because I assume that's what that withdrawal is considered? I get a screen that says I cannot file because of some law congress passed and that it may mean I get more money back.

TurboTax says

You'll need to visit Form 1099-R Retirement

Unfortunately, changes related to qualified disaster distributions and repayments weren't ready in time for us to include them in this release. Please visit the Retirement topic IRA, 401(K), pension plan withdrawals (1099-r)

I tried calling TurboTax and just get stuck in the automated voice junk, I can't "ask a tax professional" because I used deluxe...

Any ideas? Help? I really want to get my taxes done and out of my hair

Re: Disaster Distribution

DoninGA — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 17:10:13 GMT

If you selected to have the 2020 Covid-19 distribution from a retirement account spread out over three years, then the IRS Form 8915-F is used to report the 1/3 distribution in 2021. This form is not yet available in TurboTax.

Form 8915-F, Qualified Disaster Retirement Plan Distributions and Retirements is scheduled to be available in TurboTax on 03/24/2022

Go to this IRS website for IRS forms availability - https://care-cdn.prodsupportsite.a.intuit.com/forms-availability/turbotax_fed_windows_individual.html

Re: Disaster Distribution

smason1284 — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 17:18:29 GMT

I spoke with my retirement company and they said that because I did a virus withdrawl that it is not a disaster distribution. I did not take the money out to fix my residence after a disaster so I am assuming I can just put NO I did not take a disaster distribution?

Re: Disaster Distribution

DoninGA — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 17:21:25 GMT

@smason1284 wrote:

I spoke with my retirement company and they said that because I did a virus withdrawl that it is not a disaster distribution. I did not take the money out to fix my residence after a disaster so I am assuming I can just put NO I did not take a disaster distribution?

If you did Not select to have the 2020 virus distribution spread out over three years then answer No. However, if you did have the distribution spread out over three years then answer Yes.

Re: Disaster Distribution

smason1284 — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 17:48:10 GMT

Thank you SO much! This answers my question! I can go home and file my taxes now!

Re: Disaster Distribution

Brib3 — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 15:32:35 GMT

I have the same problem! I checked the box yes on accident and now turbo tax will not let me edit or uncheck the box to efile! It also will not let me delete and start over because I already paid for my TurboTax program? HELP!

Re: Disaster Distribution

DoninGA — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 15:47:15 GMT

@Brib3 wrote:

I have the same problem! I checked the box yes on accident and now turbo tax will not let me edit or uncheck the box to efile! It also will not let me delete and start over because I already paid for my TurboTax program? HELP!

Try this procedure -

Did you take a disaster distribution from your pension funds between 2018 and 2020? A disaster distribution allowed you to spread the distribution over three 1040 tax returns.

If so, IRS Form 8915 will be needed to complete your tax return but that form is not yet available. See this TurboTax Help.

If you did not take a disaster distribution from your pension funds between 2018 and 2020, there may be a question that needs to be reviewed. Follow these steps.

Go to Federal / Wages & Income.
Scroll down to Wrap up income.
Continue.
At the screen Did you take a disaster distribution at any time between 2018 and 2020? answer No.

Now watch the headings under Federal closely.

When you are in Deductions & Credits.
Scroll down and click on Wrap up tax breaks.
Then you are in Other Tax Situations.
Scroll down and click on Let's keep going.
Continue through to Federal Review.

Re: Disaster Distribution

nelsonryd — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 21:08:12 GMT

Had this issue as well. Your solution worked!!!! Thank you!

Re: Disaster Distribution

mverma2022 — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:17:33 GMT

I was wondering if P EBT qualify "Check if you took disaster distribution between 2018 and 2020."

Re: Disaster Distribution

TeresaM — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 15:55:52 GMT

No, this question for disaster distributions is specifically for if you took a distribution from your retirement account because of a disaster. There are specific exceptions in that case. If you had, this would change the area for Form 1099-R.

P-EBT benefits are different and are not reported to the IRS as taxable income.

Re: Disaster Distribution

brianbhhh — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 13:53:02 GMT

Nothing like waiting until the last minute, TurboTax. 3/24/22? Why so late? It's not like you haven't known about these distributions for a long time...

Re: Disaster Distribution

AliciaP1 — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 15:51:22 GMT

We are working to get this integrated into the software as quickly as we can. The IRS issued notice in late January 2022 that they were changing the form to report the distributions to reflect eligible disasters from 2021. Once the form is changed the IRS then has to issue the format to e-file the form. TurboTax needs time after that to get the formats finalized for processing within the software.

@brianbhhh

Re: Disaster Distribution

dabutler — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 15:14:13 GMT

Today is the 24th - the day the form is supposed to be available, but it still isn't. Any idea when i can expect to finally be able to file my return? I have already paid to use turbotax, so I don't want to change to another software even though others have this form released already.

Re: Disaster Distribution

DoninGA — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 15:18:48 GMT

@dabutler wrote:

Today is the 24th - the day the form is supposed to be available, but it still isn't. Any idea when i can expect to finally be able to file my return? I have already paid to use turbotax, so I don't want to change to another software even though others have this form released already.

Are you using the TurboTax desktop CD/Download editions installed on a personal computer? If so, update your software. Click on Online at the top of the desktop program screen. Click on Check for Updates.

The Form 8915-F is available.

Re: Disaster Distribution

Al1enish — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 15:57:17 GMT

The form is calculating 2/3 instead of 1/3 of taxable distribution for the year 2021. Does anyone know what is going on with that? Is the form completed or is it still in beta?

Re: Disaster Distribution

DoninGA — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:00:52 GMT

@Al1enish wrote:

The form is calculating 2/3 instead of 1/3 of taxable distribution for the year 2021. Does anyone know what is going on with that? Is the form completed or is it still in beta?

Worked for me. 2020 Form 8915E Line 9 was exactly 1/3 of the 2020 distribution.

Re: Disaster Distribution

Al1enish — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 17:46:00 GMT

My 2020 8915 line 9 is 1/3 of my distribution but on my forms for 2021, it's stating 2/3 as taxable income from the distribution.

Re: Disaster Distribution

a18cass30 — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 19:23:44 GMT

The form is there, but not working and keeping me on an endless loop. I entered in all my info from 2020 8195E, answer all the questions, and then it keeps telling me to revisit the area, and brings me back to the pages I already have filled out with the information I filled in. I spent two hours with Customer Service today and no one could figure out what I was talking about. I just want to file my taxes and wondering why no one is able to help me get this form to calculate.

Re: Disaster Distribution

Al1enish — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 19:40:05 GMT

Now it's asking me for a FEMA disaster number and beginning/end date. (Face palm)

Re: Disaster Distribution

DianeW777 — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 13:30:55 GMT

The following steps should be used to enter your COVID qualifying distribution. Do Not enter a FEMA code because this doesn't have one. You must have your Form 8915-E from your 2020 tax return.

Wages & Income > Retirement Plans and Social Security >
IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R) > Start, Revisit or Update > Continue
Answer Yes 'Have you ever taken a disaster distribution before 2021?
Answer Yes, You had a 2020 Qualified Disaster Distribution (carefully enter the amount-do not duplicate)
Complete the Information using your 2020 Tax return > Continue
Enter any amount you may have repaid in 2021, if applicable
Finish the entry for your spouse if applicable or just click Continue
Complete any additional retirement questions as you move through this section
Continue until you have finished and returned back to the Wages & Income Screen.
Do NOT stop and change sections without completing it.

@Al1enish

@a18cass30