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Level 1
posted Jun 4, 2019 9:15:17 PM

How to input to new form 8949?

I want to report a long term non-business bad debt.  'Help' says to put it on Form 8949 but system won't let me put it on a Form 8949 saying all info on that form is generated from Sched D.  But my loss is not on Sched D.  So how do I report it?? 

System will not let me open a new empty Form 8949.

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1 Best answer
Level 7
Jun 4, 2019 9:15:18 PM

It sounds like you are attempting to work directly in forms mode in the desktop software.  For this section, that is not a good idea and for the most part, you should not work directly in forms mode in TurboTax as many of these transactions cross-reference multiple forms and need all of them to work properly.  

Instead, go to  -
  • Federal Taxes
  • Select Wages and Income
  • You may need to click "Check for More" or "Show More" to get the full list of income topics
  • Scroll down and select Investment Income
  • Click edit next to Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds and Others
  • Answer No to the question Did you get a 1099-B or a brokerage statement for these sales?
  • The next screen should say Choose the type of investment you sold
  • Select the option for Uncollectible Debt (Nonbusiness Bad Debt)
  • Proceed through the following prompts to report

2 Replies
Level 7
Jun 4, 2019 9:15:18 PM

It sounds like you are attempting to work directly in forms mode in the desktop software.  For this section, that is not a good idea and for the most part, you should not work directly in forms mode in TurboTax as many of these transactions cross-reference multiple forms and need all of them to work properly.  

Instead, go to  -
  • Federal Taxes
  • Select Wages and Income
  • You may need to click "Check for More" or "Show More" to get the full list of income topics
  • Scroll down and select Investment Income
  • Click edit next to Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds and Others
  • Answer No to the question Did you get a 1099-B or a brokerage statement for these sales?
  • The next screen should say Choose the type of investment you sold
  • Select the option for Uncollectible Debt (Nonbusiness Bad Debt)
  • Proceed through the following prompts to report

Level 3
Mar 17, 2023 8:49:40 AM

Dear @AnthonyC , that was very helpful, thank you! I had opened forms for Schedule D and From 8949, but it was not letting me do anything--so I searched this out, and your answer got the job done! Much gratitude to you!