1099-R calculation error when box for taxable amount not determined is checked - and zero is entered for taxable amount

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There are a few problems here. We moved during the year and our pension service issued me and spouse two 1099-Rs, one for each state. Software does not easily allow addtion of more than two 1099-Rs.

Greater problem is what happens if zero is entered in box 2a, and the box is checked for "Taxable amount not determined is checked." When box 2a is left blank, the 2b is checked, federal refund is much lower than if xero is entered in box 2a and 2b is checked.

I have four 1099-Rs and have entered them all. If I enter a zero in 2a and check 2b for all of them my federal refund is 8799. If if blank out 2a in all four and keep 2b checked, the refund goes down to 5731. THAT IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!

But wait, there's more. On California, only the first 1099-R seems to be carried over.

[Vanessa A]

You can enter multiple 1099-R's by selecting add a 1099-R in the summary screen after each one you enter.  

If you enter $0 on line 2b that is telling the program that for some reason absolutely  none of the amount in box 1 is taxable.  So it is completely excluding all of your 1099-R income from your taxable income.  This is not likely correct.  If you do not have a number in your 1099-R box 2 and box 2b is checked, this is how you should enter it.  Generally, income reported on a 1099-R IS taxable. 

For California, where are you looking that you do not believe it has been carried over?  What is the entry you have in the 1099-R box 2a when you see it not carried over?
 

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Understand that entering zero means zero but it is perfectly logical for a user to enter zero -- meaning nothing -- and the software acccepts it.

Correction: there is no problem in CA if 2a is left blank for all four 1099-R.

But your software needs to reconcile what happens when zero is plugged into 2a! Again, zero is obviously incorrect but when an amount is asked for and the box is blank, zero is a very logical entry. Software should warn when zero is entered and 2b is checked.

[RobertB4444]

When your 1099-R says that the "taxable amount not determined" that is your financial institution passing the job onto you.  You now have to determine what portion - if any - of the distribution is taxable.  The zero says that none of it is.