topic How can I fix the error on Iowa return that says the payer number for dividends is too long? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

How can I fix the error on Iowa return that says the payer number for dividends is too long?

Debordebbie — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 04:05:12 GMT

The number is correct but TurboTax added a hyphen.

Re: How can I fix the error on Iowa return that says the payer number for dividends is too long?

Cynthiad66 — Sat, 10 Feb 2024 17:15:25 GMT

Take the hyphen out. All payer's TIN should be 9 digits.

You will need to go back to the Federal portion of the return, to Wages and In

come and choose the entry for Dividend income, then edit the EIN in Box 15.

Re: How can I fix the error on Iowa return that says the payer number for dividends is too long?

Debordebbie — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 00:05:45 GMT

I know the hyphen is the problem but TurboTax adds it automatically and I couldn't take it out. Is there a way to do that?

Re: How can I fix the error on Iowa return that says the payer number for dividends is too long?

Cynthiad66 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 17:44:48 GMT

I would clear your cookies and history then reboot your computer. After logging back in check to see if the error still exists. If so, I would delete and re-enter the form 1099-DIV. Instructions are provided below.

Cookies are small files that temporarily store data on your computer. We use them to personalize your experience so you see information you already entered and not items that are irrelevant or repetitive.

On rare occasions, they may make your browser think you already did something that you still need to do. To fix that, you'll need to delete (clear) the cookies from your browser.

Each browser has a slightly different method for deleting cookies. Choose the browser you're using:

Reboot at this point then follow the instructions below.

Here's the general procedure for viewing a list of all the forms in your return and deleting unwanted forms, schedules, and worksheets in TurboTax Online:

Sign in to TurboTax and open your return by selecting Continue or Pick up where you left off.
In the left menu, select Tax Tools and then Tools.
In the pop-up window Tool Center, choose Delete a form.
Select Delete next to the form, schedule, and worksheet in the list and follow the instructions.

For additional information on Deleting a Form: How to delete a Form in TurboTax

Now Re-enter the Form 1099-DIV manually

Hopefully this works.

@Debordebbie

Re: How can I fix the error on Iowa return that says the payer number for dividends is too long?

Debordebbie — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 18:03:11 GMT

After deleting cookies, etc., I deleted the imported info from brokerage and entered all those items manually which did not get rid of the message. Then I discovered that the error was actually referring to the number of digits in the name of the payer, so the number of digits in the FIN was not the issue. Once I shortened the name of the payer the error message was cleared. Thank you!