How do I get Form 5329 in TurboTax Premier to accept my explanation text

[Lou_NC]

I am attempting to manually complete form 5329 in TurboTax Premier 2025, for a missed 2025 RMD.  I have entered the missed RMD amount on line 52a, and wish to request a waiver of the penalty. I am working in the "Waiver of Tax Smart Worksheet", and was able to enter the dollar amount for which I am requesting a waiver.  HOWEVER when I select the + sign to add my waiver explanation text, and continue with my review, I get an error and TurboTax "thinks" the explanation field is not completed. When I re-enter the explanation text during the review process and select "continue", the text is again lost by TurboTax, and an error is again reported.  I cannot eliminate this error, and get TurboTax to retain my explanation text and include it in my return. 

[RobertB4444]

Attaching an explanation is difficult in efiled returns and is often more successful when the return is submitted by mail.  That may be your best option here.

[Lou_NC]

Thank you for your reply, it is appreciated! 

Yes, as you suggested I will in all likelihood be forced to submit a separate paper form 5329 and check to the IRS.  Not the end of the world, but it reflects poorly on Intuit when TurboTax offers a feature that is broken, and there doesn't seem to be any simple way to report it to them to fix it so that I can combine the 5329 with my 1040 and e-file both.  

[DawnC]

Have you tried it through the interview?   You should be able to include the form with your e-filed return.   Go to the 1099-R entry section and at the end, you will be asked about missed RMDs.   TurboTax will ask for the account information, whether or not you corrected it, and will allow you to fill out the explanation statement.   

[Lou_NC]

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for trying to help, but in TurboTax Premier 2025 I am not seeing the screens you are seeing in the "Retirement Plans and Social Security" sub-section of the "Wages & Income" section.

[DawnC]

Don't use the social security tab, use the 1099-R tab, right underneath it.   Once you answer NO that you don't have any 1099-Rs, TurboTax will ask you about disaster distributions and then it will ask about your RMD.    

First question should be:

[Lou_NC]

What version of TurboTax are you taking these screen captures from?  It does not match my Premier 2025, and when I say "no" to the question regarding 1099-R's, TurboTax exits the 1099-R section completely and brings me back to the full "Wages & Income" tab and list of topics. 

[Lou_NC]

This is what I see when I enter the 1099-R section in Turbo Tax Premier 2025:

When I select "no", it bumps me back to the full Wages & Income tab. 

[DaveF1006]

The waiver explanation is a known issue in TurboTax. It has been forwarded to the investigations team but hasn't been resolved yet. 

[analogue]

May be relevant: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-law-changes/discussion/re-2025-deluxe-desktop-form-5329-is-del...