topic Form 8915 E, distributions between 2018-2020 in Retirement tax questions

Form 8915 E, distributions between 2018-2020

Amy103 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:55:30 GMT

I took a distribution in 2020 and filed it on my 2020 tax return using form 8915E. I elected to pay the taxes over 3 years. I am attempting to file my 2021 to report and pay taxes on the 2nd portion. I have checked the box indicating the I received a distribution between 2018-2020 and it won't allow me to move forward and file because of recent legislation regarding this issue. It did not give me form 8915F to fill out, only 8915E. How do I move forward?

Re: Form 8915 E, distributions between 2018-2020

DoninGA — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 20:20:29 GMT

The Form 8915-F was included in the TurboTax online editions in the early evening of 03/23

The Form 8915-F was included as a software update for All the TurboTax desktop editions on 03/24

If you are using the desktop editions, update your software. Click on Online at the top of the desktop program screen. Click on Check for Updates.

If you had a Covid-19 related distribution in 2020 and selected to spread the distribution over 3 years -

Answer No when asked if you received a Form 1099-R in 2021, if you did not receive the form

Answer Yes when asked if Have you ever taken a disaster distribution before 2021?

Answer Yes when asked if you took a Qualified 2020 Disaster Distribution

Check the box that this was a Coronavirus-related distribution reported in 2020

In the box 2020 Form 8915-E, line 4, column b - Enter a 0

If the 2020 distribution was from an account that was Not an IRA

2020 Form 8915E Line 9 - Enter 1/3 of the amount from the 2020 distribution in both boxes for Line 9

If the 2020 distribution was from an IRA account

2020 Form 8915E Line 17 - Enter 1/3 of the amount from the 2020 distribution in both boxes for Line 17

Do not enter anything in the other boxes, leave them blank (empty)

The 1/3 of the amount from the 2020 distribution will be entered on the 2021 Form 1040 Line 4b if from an IRA or on Line 5b if from a retirement plan other than an IRA

You can view your Form 1040 at any time using the online editions. Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the online program screen. Click on Tools. Click on View Tax Summary. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left side of the screen.

Using the desktop editions click on Forms. Open the Form 1040

Re: Form 8915 E, distributions between 2018-2020

Amy103 — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 20:30:13 GMT

I marked that I received a disaster distribution between 2018-2020 and that seems to be holding me up. It is saying something about waiting because of disaster tax relief laws passed by Congress. How do I move past this?

Re: Form 8915 E, distributions between 2018-2020

DoninGA — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 20:49:08 GMT

@Amy103 wrote:

I marked that I received a disaster distribution between 2018-2020 and that seems to be holding me up. It is saying something about waiting because of disaster tax relief laws passed by Congress. How do I move past this?

You need to go through the Retirement Income section for a Form 1099-R. What you did is complete the Income & Wages section without going to the Form 1099-R section.

Enter 1099-r in the Search box located in the upper right of the program screen. Click on Jump to 1099-R

On the screen Did you get a 1099-R in 2021? Click on NO

Answer Yes when asked Have you ever taken a disaster distribution before 2021?

Answer Yes when asked if you took a Qualified 2020 Disaster Distribution

Check the box that this was a Coronavirus-related distribution reported in 2020

In the box 2020 Form 8915-E, line 4, column b - Enter a 0

If the 2020 distribution was from an account that was Not an IRA

2020 Form 8915E Line 9 - Enter 1/3 of the amount from the 2020 distribution in both boxes for Line 9

If the 2020 distribution was from an IRA account

2020 Form 8915E Line 17 - Enter 1/3 of the amount from the 2020 distribution in both boxes for Line 17

Do not enter anything in the other boxes, leave them blank (empty)

The 1/3 of the amount from the 2020 distribution will be entered on the 2021 Form 1040 Line 4b if from an IRA or on Line 5b if from a retirement plan other than an IRA

Using the desktop editions click on Forms. Open the Form 1040

Re: Form 8915 E, distributions between 2018-2020

taxes_taxes_12345 — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 14:24:25 GMT

I followed the step by step instructions provided in this thread for my 2020 cares act distribution (form 8915E in 2020); but I'm still showing blank for line 4b on my 2021 1040 tax return (in my case I should show one third of my 2020 cares act distro in 4b, not 5). Turbotax is telling me the ira withdrawal section needs review but not sure what else I can do.

Any other advice? I'm using online version of turbotax . Thanks in advance

Re: Form 8915 E, distributions between 2018-2020

DoninGA — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 14:27:15 GMT

@taxes_taxes_12345

Did you enter 1/3 of the 2020 distribution in both boxes for the type of distribution? That is required so the amount will be entered as taxable income on the federal tax return Form 1040 on either Line 4b or Line 5b.

If the 2020 distribution was from an account that was Not an IRA

Enter 1/3 of the amount from the 2020 distribution in both boxes for Line 9

2020 Form 8915E, line 9, if you checked the box on that line, enter 0

2020 Form 8915E Line 9

If the 2020 distribution was from an IRA account

Enter 1/3 of the amount from the 2020 distribution in both boxes for Line 17

2020 Form 8915E, line 17, if you checked the box on that line, enter 0

2020 Form 8915E Line 17

Do not enter anything in the other boxes, leave them blank (empty)