topic Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu... in Retirement tax questions

Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, but I am not allowed to type (get red font that disappears)

slw4683 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:34:23 GMT

This is for line 54a, to request a waiver of tax on incomplete RMD

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

DianeW777 — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:19:20 GMT

If you are still having this experience you have one of two options.

Print your return and mail it with your statement by selecting mail instead of e-file.
How do I switch from TurboTax Online to TurboTax Desktop?
- In this version you can change to Forms, scroll to Form 5329, Line 54a, click to add the statement. TurboTax will allow a statement to be added.

Please update here if you need additional assistance and we will help.

@slw4683

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, but I am not allowed to type (get red font that disappears)

tommyb123 — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:56:26 GMT

Why should we have to mail a copy of return when turbo tax is supposed to add the explanation statement.

It did it for m last year plus there is a free e-file of federal return.

U have tried multiple times to enter a explanation statement only for turbo tax not to accept it.

Please either fix the issue or I should get a refund for what I paid to get your program

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, but I am not allowed to type (get red font that disappears)

br15284 — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 02:31:17 GMT

I have the same issue with Turbotax Desktop 2025 Home and Business.

When I go to Form view and open Form 5329-S, I can fill out all of the information, but when I go to enter the Wavier Explanation Statement (Explan QuickZoon), the Explanation Statement does NOT allow me to enter text into the lines. If I am unable to provide a proper explanation, I will be forced to pay the penalty.

Can your team try to add an explanation to this form? If so, you will also see it does not work

Thank you

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

tommyb123 — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:47:15 GMT

why should I have to print the forms and mail it in when I paid for efile when I bought the program.

Seems to me that there is a glitch in the program

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

DaveF1006 — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:03:33 GMT

Yes, this is a known issue in TurboTax. It's been referred to the investigation team for further resolution.

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

m1t20rw — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:26:05 GMT

Is there an update on getting the issue with the explanation statement for 5329 resolved?

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

rkraynick33 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:25:48 GMT

Completely agree! And how hard is it to address an issue with simply allowing text input? Turbo Tax flags this as an 'error' when reviewing my return, which I assume would then not allow the e-filing of the return, which is supposed to be included in the cost of the software. Ridiculous.

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

user17719748803 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:22:30 GMT

I have Turbo Tax Desktop and it will not accept an explanation. I type in the box and then what I type disappears. There should be a fix for this glitch. When can we expect it?

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

adubyainfla — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:00:20 GMT

Having the same issue. Can't save an explanation on 5329

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

MarilynG1 — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:17:41 GMT

If you missed an RMD, you will enter your explanation for Form 5329 requesting waiver of the penalty in the interview section of TurboTax regarding RMD. This transfers to the form and doesn't cause an error.

If this applies, the IRS rarely denies waivers if you have already withdrawn the missed RMD amount. You must report that you have "corrected" the missed RMD by taking the distribution, and state that it was due to reasonable error.

Check Form 5329: Review the form in FORMS mode in TurboTax. If your explanation for the missed RMD was accepted, the penalty on Form 5329, Line 55 should show as 0.

If you still see a penalty after fixing the issue, re-answer the questions regarding the RMD in the, "Let's go over any required minimum distributions (RMD)" section, as this refreshes the calculation. You could delete Form 5329 before stepping though the section to be sure.

@m1t20rw

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

m1t20rw — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:46:59 GMT

The issue is that the explanation is not saving in the interview or on the form. The amount is showing as zero but I am unable to include a statement to request the waiver.

@MarilynG1

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

MarilynG1 — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 01:11:21 GMT

Don't enter your Explanation Statement directly on Form 5329. Enter it in the interview and it will transfer to the 5329. EDIT your RMD entry, continue through the questions, and enter your explanation. The box allows an entry that scrolls out of the box area. You'll get a screen verifying you completed your waiver request.

Flip into FORMS and your explanation statement will show up.

@m1t20rw

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

br15284 — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:04:53 GMT

I understand what you are saying but I am using Home and Business and I don't have the ability to get to the information about missed RMD. The only option I have is to add a 1099-R but I didn't receive one and the interview questions never ask me about any missed RMD. It appears the only place I can enter it is directly in the form but if I can't enter an explanation I will be forced to pay the penalty (even though it was a rollover to a new IRA, I forgot to setup auto RMD Distribution and took the RMD for the required amount on February 16, 2026). I would like to explain the mistake rather than pay the penalty.

Can you check if/how Home and Business version will allow me to enter this information in the interview mode?

Thank you

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

user17719748803 — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:31:35 GMT

The software update today took care of the problem.

Thanks for taking care of the problem.

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

br15284 — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 03:51:38 GMT

I can confirm this issue has been resolved with Home and Business with the latest software update. In forms view, you can now enter text and save the explanation.

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

rrlober55 — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:00:33 GMT

Hi MarilynG1, I have this same problem and what you are describing of how TT will cover this in the Interview section regarding RMDs is not my experience. If you unfortunately did not make your required RMD by 12/31/25, you will not have a 1099-R to add into TT Desktop 2025 via the EasyStep interview option. Other 1099-R's you may have will not address the fact you need to include form 5329. The interview does not ask you - were you late taking an RMD - if so we'll add form 5329 to your return and ask if you have a reasonable cause for missing your RMD. I have been able to go to forms and with doing more homework determine how 5329 in detail needs to be completed (thanks to non-TurboTax online resources). The problem is the text explanation you need to include to request the waiver from the late RMD penalty. I can add the text explanation on the zoomed worksheet from form 5329 (that worked for me and TT saved my text) and that separate worksheet form for 5329 shows up in my list of forms for my 2025 TT return. However, when I get ready to efile, it does NOT show up in the list of forms included in the PDF printout before you efile which indicates these are all the forms being sent via efile to the IRS Fed and State. I have no assurance TT is actually including the necessary 5329 explanation text required to avoid the penalty for having a late RMD in 2025. It shows up in my form list just as I wrote the explanation, but is not included in the PDF. Can you confirm or assure us it's going to be part of the efile package when I submit this return? I also agree with one of the other users who shared its not reasonable to have efile costs covered (Fed included then paying again for State) and then have to supplement that filing mechanism with a separate physical mailing to the IRS (for your form 5329 or perhaps just the reasonable cause letter asking for a waiver for the RMD penally).

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

rrlober55 — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:05:32 GMT

I should have included I am running 2025 TurboTax Premier Fed State Desktop version.

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

rrlober55 — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:08:49 GMT

I have also been able to save the text for the explanation statement for Form 5329. This is good.

Next challenge - Did the saved explanation text actually show up in your saved PDF of your return you can create before efiling your return? It did not show up in the PDF for me (for 5329 did, but not the explanation form). When it does not show up in that PDF, how do you know it was actually included in your return along with form 5329?

Re: Cannot include an explanation statement for form 5329. The Quickzoom launches a statement, bu...

rrlober55 — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:16:11 GMT

I wish I could get to this section of the TT 2025 EasyStep interview, but those screens and the questions about requesting a waiver do not show up on TT 2025 Premier Desktop (for Mac). I am having to use Forms which is assuming I have to pay the penalty in my case (even tho I completed an RC - reasonable cause - in the Forms). It saved the form but that explanation is not showing up in the PDF file for the entire return being submitted and the penalty is still being included.