FORM 5695

[poman1972]

I see a possible Turbo Tax interview issue. I bought a new furnace this year for my existing main home. The only section of this form 5695 that pertains to me is Part II Section B "Residential Energy Property Expenditures. However, the worksheet is deemed incomplete if you overide Section A having to do with insulation, doors, windows and the like. The interview asks if you have any of these items and if you put "No", it still does not skip Section A. It then automatically fills in Section A 17a,b,c,e as a "NO" which connotates that you have made these improvements ,but of course, you have no expenditures and will leave the remainder of the section blank anyway. .  I believe the entire Section A should be overridden and left blank  as long as you are only dealing with improvements in Section B like furnaces....I have not filed yet, but if the review process says I have an incomplete 5695 worksheet, I guess I'll deal with it more then.

Any thoughts anyone?

[AnnetteB6]

Taking a look at the situation you described and comparing it to the IRS Instructions for Form 5695, there should not be an issue.  The instructions for Section A Lines 17 a through e all state that if you check 'No', then you are not qualified to claim the credit.  With the instructions putting an emphasis on marking 'No' for those lines, it would seem that it is expected more than simply leaving it blank.  

Here is a link to the instructions if you'd like to take a look:  Form 5695 Instructions Section A Line 17

That being said, if you find that there is an error generated that cannot be overcome as you go through the process of filing your return, please come back to provide details.  

[poman1972]

Annette.. If you look at the old versions of the 5695, you'll see that the Qualified Energy Efficiency Improvements were combined with the Residential Energy Property Expenditures making it easy to understand that "YES" was the answer to the question 17a and so on.

Now, the form has been divided by the 2 sections making it difficult to answer 17a and so on because I do not have those specific improvements in that section and answering Yes or No would seem to imply I have them and that would be misleading.

However, it appears IRS instructions did at least mention that answering "NO" disqualifies you for the credit and you should not complete Section A....which means to me that each Section stands on its own and the credit will still be calculated in Section B. I think leaving Section A blank is the proper way. I tried it and it does print out the form with it section A blank, but simply not sure if it will get filed if I don't fill something in. The review process still will stop you at that worksheet to fill in something.

[AmyC]

Are you using online or desktop? Did you go through the program or use Forms mode? What error message are you getting at the review? It should show you the error and ask for the information needed. When I went through, I was missing the zip code. My 5695 is properly filled in, If you are online, perhaps you have a bit of stuck data.  For stuck information follow these steps:

1. Delete the form/ worksheet- if possible, see How to Delete  
2. Log out of your return and try one or more of the following:
   • Don't use Internet Explorer.
   • Clear cache and cookies,
   • Sign in using a different browser.
   • Sign in using a different device.
3. Log back into your return.
   • Enter the information again.

[poman1972]

Thank you for response...I'm glad to say all is fine and return was accepted...I believe I was "overthinking" what the software should do..I left well enough alone!