topic Re: Empty forms that should not be there in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Empty forms that should not be there

YP55 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:36:30 GMT

Hello TT support and community.

Here is my problem.

When I look at Forms View in my TurboTax 2025 Premier PC Desktop version, I see several empty forms that should not be there and were not present last year in my 2024 return using the same desktop version.

For example, I see an empty Schedule C, even though I have no self-employment activity and did not have this form in 2024. Another example is Form 5695, which is also completely empty.

My situation and tax activity have not changed from 2024.

My guess is that using the “Walk me through everything” option may have caused TurboTax to create forms even though no related information was entered — but that’s just a guess.

My questions are about the correct way to handle this:

Is it safe to delete empty forms manually in Forms View, or could that cause problems with the return?
If I start a brand-new return from scratch, will TurboTax recognize that I already paid for an additional state, or will I be asked to pay again? Is there a way to avoid double-paying?
Is there another recommended or cleaner way to remove or prevent these unnecessary empty forms?

Thanks for your help.

Re: Empty forms that should not be there

YP55 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:31:34 GMT

Maybe I need to clarify that I see empty forms after I finished my returned. I did not file it yet.

Re: Empty forms that should not be there

MonikaK1 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:27:43 GMT

Yes, you can delete unneeded forms in TurboTax Desktop that have no information in them at all, in Forms Mode.

Once you are finished, run the Review to make sure there are no further questions to be resolved before you proceed to file.

See this TurboTax help article for more information.

Re: Empty forms that should not be there

YP55 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:48:15 GMT

Thank you Monika. Could you please address my second approach and possibility to avoid double billing for State that I already purchased.

Re: Empty forms that should not be there

MonikaK1 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:13:13 GMT

You can prepare another return in TurboTax Desktop using the one state you have purchased, if you use the same account. The only additional charge would be for e-filing the state return.

If you use TurboTax Desktop, you can file five federal returns with up to three state returns each. See this help article for more information.

Re: Empty forms that should not be there

YP55 — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:39:22 GMT

Hi Monika,

I was curious at what point the empty Schedule C appears while working on my return.

I tracked it down: it happens when I enter 1099-MISC information from Coinbase for my staking income. After answering all the related questions, TurboTax automatically creates a Schedule C, even though no business activity exists.

My question: can this be avoided, for staking income reported on a 1099-MISC?

Thanks.

Re: Empty forms that should not be there

DawnC — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:44:41 GMT

Yes, enter your 1099-misc as follows. Delete that 1099-Misc and the Schedule C that was started, instructions are below. Then re-enter it, making sure to answer the follow-up questions as follows:

After you enter the reason for the 1099-Misc, mark None of the above on the next screen (uncommon situations).
Answer Did the refund involve work that's like your main job? NO
Answer How often did you get this income? You got it in 2025 only
Answer Did the refund involve an intent to earn money? NO

The income will be reported as Other Income on Line 8 of Form 1040 without generating a schedule C.

How to delete forms in TurboTax Online

How to delete forms in TurboTax Desktop

Re: Empty forms that should not be there

YP55 — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:12:07 GMT

Wow, Dawn — amazing. You’re the best. It works. Thanks!
One comment: it felt a bit unexpected to answer “No” to intent to earn money, since staking is literally a way to earn rewards on cryptocurrency that can later be converted to cash. Maybe something for your programmers to think about improving.
Since you were so helpful with that, I have a related crypto question.
I also have a 1099-DA from Coinbase. Even though cost basis is not reported to the IRS, it is included on my 1099-DA, and I entered all transactions (only four) using the Step-by-Step desktop interface. No cost basis adjustments.
As expected, Schedule D, Forms 8949, and Form 8453 were generated. TurboTax indicates that I must mail Forms 8949 and 8453 even though I am e-filing.
This raises a couple of questions:
1. Why are these forms generated but not transmitted with e-filing?
2. I was under the impression that if there are no cost basis adjustments, no additional mailing is required since all information is already included.
So, in my case, is there a way to avoid mailing anything?
If not, what exactly must be mailed: just Forms 8949 and 8453, or those forms plus the actual 1099-DA?
Thanks again for your knowledge and help.

Re: Empty forms that should not be there

DianeW777 — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:55:51 GMT

No, there's not a way to avoid mailing the forms. It's not that they are not transmitted, however the IRS wants you send Form 8453 with a copy of Form 8949. In your case the they may not actually be looking at the 1099-DA since it was not required to be filed until 2026.

How do I mail Form 8453? (review if alerted)

@YP55