Cannot check box for COVID on Form 8915E (S or T)

[AHTTax]

On Form 8915E (versions S or T), there is a notation "For coronavirus, check this box" .  I cannot check the box. This is what will be required to get the 10% IRA withdrawal penalty exception for COVID.  The step-by-step instructions do not guide through those questions.  (And yes, I updated as of 2/27/2021)

Do we need another update? 

[DoninGA]

You have to enter the Form 1099-R and answer the Covid-19 questions in the step-by-step interview, not directly on the Form 1099-R or on the Form 8915-E.

The program software will check the box for coronavirus and complete the 8915-E for you.

To enter, edit or delete a form 1099-R -

• Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
• Click on Wages and Income (Personal Income using Home and Business)
• Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
• Scroll down to Retirement Plans and Social Security
• On IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R), click the start or update button

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

[DanaB27]

Please follow these steps to get to the COVID distribution questions to create Form 8915-E:

1. Open your return
2. Click on "Search" on the top right and type “1099-R”
3. Click on “Jump to 1099-R” and enter your 1099-R (if you started this before you should see the “Your 1099-R Entries” screen and will click "edit")
4. Continue until "Was this withdrawal due to COVID-19 or a Qualified Disaster Distribution? " screen
5. Make the appropriate selection and continue through the questions. 

[AHTTax]

Thank you!  The key was to  UPDATE and EDIT my 1099R entry.  Editing was required to get to the questions I needed.

[DanSD]

I tried this but I was not given the option to indicate if this ""Was this withdrawal due to COVID-19 or a Qualified Disaster Distribution?". The program did not take me to this screen.  This distribution is related to a qualified pension plan and not an IRA distribution.

[ReneeM7122]

Yes, you should be able to check the box to tell the software that either you or a family member were diagnosed with COVID or that you or your business suffered an economic hardship due to COVID.  That would waive the early withdrawal penalty.  If you are not able to do so, please take the following steps to delete form 8915-E and then begin again:

How do I view and delete forms in TurboTax Online?

• Open or continue your return in TurboTax.
• In the left menu, select Tax Tools and then Tools.
• In the pop-up window Tool Center, choose Delete a form.
• Select Delete next to the form/schedule/worksheet in the list and follow the instructions.

@DanSD

[DanSD]

I deleted the 8915-E forms and I still don't get asked about a Coronavirus related distribution on the desktop SW version in the EasyStep.  I noticed on the 8915E form in Part I Line B of the "2020 Form 8915-C and 8915-D Distributions Smart Worksheet", if I enter a value for IRA in the 2020 Form 8915-E column, the box gets checked. But if I enter a value for a Retirement Plan distribution on Line A (one row above), the box does not get checked.

Any other suggestions on getting this box checked?

[MaryM428]

8915-e is ready.  Please use the Chrome browser and clear all browsing data.

Then sign into TuirboTax

You may have to delete and reenter your 1099-R if you do not get this question when you review it

I took out this money because of a qualified disaster (includes COVID-19) - Select this question

Answer the other questions until you get to this screen

To be sure the form is created, go to Tax Tools, tools, Delete a form and your will see 8915 and 8915-E-T on the list.

[DanSD]

I'm using the Mac desktop version and not the online version of Turbo Tax Deluxe.  So clearing out the browser and using chrome doesn't apply.  I tried your suggestion on deleting the forms and re-entering them and it didn't work. I think there is a bug in the program related to a Retirement Plan Distribution that is not an IRA or 401K related.

[MichelleLO]

Please reach out to TurboTax Customer Support as your issue would be best resolved with one-on-one support. Please visit the Contact Us page and select your product to get you to the right person.

@DanSD

[Cristexas]

Hi there.  I have 8915E-T but not 8915 (without the T) on my forms list.  I see above you say both should be on there.  Can it be either/or? I filed my amended return on 3/26/2021 and I am still waiting for the IRS to respond. I spoke to a Tax Advocate who said she did not see any forms regarding a request for a Qualified 2020 Disaster Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments.

[DoninGA]

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@Cristexas wrote:

Hi there.  I have 8915E-T but not 8915 (without the T) on my forms list.  I see above you say both should be on there.  Can it be either/or? I filed my amended return on 3/26/2021 and I am still waiting for the IRS to respond. I spoke to a Tax Advocate who said she did not see any forms regarding a request for a Qualified 2020 Disaster Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments.

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The Form 8915-E. Qualified 2020 Disaster Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments would be included in the tax return that was filed if completed by the user.  The 'T" is only a indicator used by the TurboTax program to indicate it is for the taxpayer who is listed first on the tax return.  If the filing status on the return is Married Filing Jointly and the spouse also had  a Qualified 2020 Disaster Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments then there would also be a Form 8915-E (S) for the Spouse.

A Form 8915-E is completed separately for the taxpayer and the spouse if required.

[Cristexas]

The Form 8915-E is unsupported when E-Filing.  The IRS says they did not receive it on my Amended Return now I see why.  Why does Turbo Tax/Intuit have it available if it cannot be used when e-filing?????

I filed my amended return on 3/26/21 and it's still being reviewed by the IRS.  

[DoninGA]

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@Cristexas wrote:

The Form 8915-E is unsupported when E-Filing.  The IRS says they did not receive it on my Amended Return now I see why.  Why does Turbo Tax/Intuit have it available if it cannot be used when e-filing?????

I filed my amended return on 3/26/21 and it's still being reviewed by the IRS.  

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Form 8915-E, Qualified 2020 Disaster Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments IS available for e-filing.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for IRS forms availability - https://care-cdn.prodsupportsite.a.intuit.com/forms-availability/turbotax_fed_online_individual.html

[PAA66]

I agree, Turbo Tax software is having major problems with 8915-E-T worksheet and the whole Coronavirus's distribution and yet they are not offering any solution on how to correct the input.