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Pricing

Level 2

Question

Disaster Distributions

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
March 6, 2022
9 replies
31 views

Turbotax won't let me file my taxes because I received a stimulus check in 2021. This apparently falls under disaster distributions so I'm not allowed to file my taxes right now, and have no idea when I'll be allowed to. I tried to talk with an expert on the phone but they hung up on me before even hearing my concerns. Please help me.

FangxiaL

Level 10

The stimulus check has nothing to do with the disaster distributions. If you did not take money out of your IRA or 401(k) or any other retirement plans, you don't need to wait to file your taxes. Go back to the screen where you answered Yes to disaster distribution and change your answer to No. Proceed to file your return.

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theflint

Level 2

This didn't work. I went back and changed the answer and it did nothing, I still can't file my taxes even though everything is finished and paid for.

Is there any fix for this?

KrisD15

Level 15

To clarify

are you also working with a 2020 distribution spread over 3 years?

Or something else?

@theflint

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FangxiaL

Level 10

Here is the screen where you can change your answer:

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joeysparkz

Level 2

Nope! I've tried at least 100 times and it keeps looping to "needs review". I've spent the last two nights, hours on end on the phone and in a chat with turbo tax!!! their software is terrible for this! it won't save the **bleep** unchecked correction!!!! they even viewed my computer screen multiple times and still can't figure it out. the best they found is that when that box is selected (I never selected the box to begin with), it creates an automatic 1099-r form in your tax tools. I've gone in there multiple times to delete that form with them and it keeps auto populating! their tech team can't solve it, and they have no work around for it as of right now besides print out the taxes and mail them in (what a great solution), or delete everything and start over. Problem is that even if I delete everything I have no guarantee that it won't repopulate! I have no clue how that box even got selected!

bobuyentax

Level 2

I also was caught in this hellish eternal loop of unchecking the box only to find it checked again on review. I finally succeeded after about 20 times by going completely through the personal information and income sections once again and answering every possible question. I'm not sure why it finally fixed the problem, but it might have something to do with making sure you "visit" and answering no to every possible income situation, including crypto as another frustrated user suggested. I agree this is a major software glitch that Turbo Tax needs to fix. Good luck!

Jack721

Level 2

So I’m in the same situation. It won’t let me take it out. I go to the review page I go to take it out, I click it it’s empty and then I click continue but it still comes up in the review as being there.

Critter-3

Level 15

@Jack721

Did you have a covid distribution in 2020 that you choose to pay the taxes on over a 3 year period? If so that is what you are waiting on ... that section of the program is not yet functional.

joesekiya

Level 2

This is what I did and am waiting for the functionality to get up and running. Was the functionality not running last year? Because we can pay the taxes of the distribution over 3 years, I just claimed 1/3 of the total distribution in 2020 and paid 33.33% of the taxes last year. I was planning to pay another 1/3 this year and in 2022 to complete the process.

Jack721

Level 2

Ok, understood. So I have to wait on the IRS to make the form available?

Critter-3

Level 15

correct.

hnw1717

Level 2

I am having this exact same issue. Accidentally check "disaster distribution", and despite unclicking and selecting "no" on the 1099-R question repeatedly, I keep being told to review the "checked" disaster distribution box. Ugh!!

JamesG1

Level 15

Are you able to view and / or delete a form 8915 at Tax Tools / Tools / Delete a form?

In the Federal 1040 tax return, are you able to access the disaster distribution question at:

Go to Federal / Wages & Income.
Scroll down to Wrap up income.
Continue.
At the screen Did you take a disaster distribution at any time between 2018 and 2020? answer No.

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bobuyentax

Level 2

I did all that and it does not fix the problem. Even though I answer "no", once I go to final review the box "yes" is again checked. There seems to be no way to get it to stay unchecked. I also tried removing the forms that someone else suggested, but that also didn't work.

hyperview

Level 2

Just deleted 8195, same problem.

edit: It fixed after “Wrap Up Income” screen when it asked again after the crypto question. Thank you!!

PSherman42WallabyWay

Level 2

I'm also stuck in the loop. However, I already paid for the federal/state returns - so the "just start over" option isn't available to me. Any idea when they will come out with a fix for this?

bobuyentax

Level 2

I also was stuck after paying the TurboTax fee, but I was still able to go back to the Personal Info and Income sections and visit every possible section, even those that are irrelevant to my return. After doing all this, and of course, unchecking the box for disaster distributions, it finally accepted my return on the Review part. Keep trying this until it works, and good luck!

Danielleec

Level 2

I can't finish and file my taxes because it won't let me get past this in the review! No matter what I do! Since I said yes to getting the 3rd stimulus check, I tried selecting no but then it said they would pay me $1400 which is inaccurate! Help! I already paid turbo tax payment.

MarilynG

Level 15

You are correct, the screenshot you posted has nothing to do with the Stimulus. It refers to a 'Covid-related disaster distribution' (reported on Form 1099-R for 2020).

If you did not take a retirement plan distribution in 2020 and elect to pay the tax over three years, you may have accidently indicated YES to that question in TurboTax.

If that applies:

Go to Federal / Wages & Income.
Scroll down to Wrap up income.
Continue.
At the screen Did you take a disaster distribution at any time between 2018 and 2020? answer No.

If you're using TurboTax Online, close the program, clear your Cache and Cookies and re-visit the review.

If you did take a 1099-R disaster distribution in 2020, Form 8915-F to report this in your Federal return will be available 3/24/22, so you can Efile after that.

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Danielleec

Level 2

But I have these come up?

Mjayers92

Level 2

What if you’ve already paid it off? Do you still mark that?

JamesG1

Level 15

A disaster distribution allowed you to spread a distribution from your pension funds between 2018 and 2020 over three 1040 tax returns.

Is this what you are referring to? Please clarify.

If you did not receive such a distribution or if the full distribution has already been taxed, you may mark No.

If some portion of the distribution has not yet been taxed, IRS Form 8915 will be needed to complete your tax return but that form is not yet available. See this TurboTax Help.

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