Is form 14039 mandatory to fill out when filing taxes? If so, what am I supposed to put in the "explanation" line?

[IreneS · Accepted solution]

Form 14039 is the Identity theft affidavit for victims of Identity theft. You would file this form if your return was rejected due to a duplicate filing. You can see more information about this form and Identity theft on the IRS site at:  Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft

If you do not need this form and you have generated one in your return already, you can delete it by following these steps:

TurboTax Online

1. While in your return,  click on Tax Tools > Tools (in the black bar at the side of your screen).  
2. Click on Tools.
3. Under "Other helpful links" click on Delete a form. 
4. Click Delete next to the appropriate form or schedule and follow the onscreen instructions. 
5. Once you have finished deleting the desired form(s) click the Continue with My Return box (in the lower right of your screen).

TurboTax CD/Download

1. Go into Forms Mode by clicking on the Forms icon in the top right of the blue bar.  
2. In the Forms in My Return list on the left, double-click on the form you wish to open and delete.  [In this case Form 14039.]  
3. Click on the Delete Form box at the bottom of the screen.

[Edited | 3/26/2020 |  9:25 am PDT]