Box 1 of Form 1099-R is Empty/Blank

[davide123]

On my Form 1099-R, box 1 ("Gross distribution") is empty/blank, but box 2a ("Taxable amount") contains a value and box 2b contains a checkmark in the "Total distribution" box.  

The distribution triggering this 1099-R was the lapse of a permanent (cash-value) life insurance policy with an outstanding loan.

TurboTax Online will not permit me to e-file without entering a value for box 1 and the insurance company will not provide the gross distribution amount.

As an example: if the taxable amount in box 2a is $1,200 and this is a total distribution, what is the downside to putting $1,200 in box 1 within TurboTax Online in order to e-file?

[Anita01]

I think you would be fine putting the taxable amount in Box 1