turbotax premiere desktop Mac will not import from Fidelity

[rhaining23]

I've imported in past years, but now suddenly TurboTax Premiere (desktop Mac edition) will not import from Fidelity (specifically, Fidelity NetBenefits).  It very (un)helpfully tries to reassure me that I can type in everything manually and keep going.  This is completely unacceptable.

Specific error message text:

"This import was unsuccessful.  We recommend you check your internet connection and try again.  If we still can't get your info, don't worry.  We'll help you enter it manually so you can keep working on your taxes."

Please advise.

[MoniqueLO_]

Please see What if I can't import my 1099? for instructions.

If you need additional assistance, please feel free to contact Customer Support so you can speak with a TurboTax representative who can assist you. 

@rhaining23 
 

[SteamTrain]

I can't know your situation fully , but I've had two different pension 1099-R forms in the past (only one now), and have never been able to import those 1099-R forms from Fidelity NetBenefits.   Maybe it's just the corporate 1099-R forms that I deal with.....don't know for sure whether it is which company's forms you are dealing with, or whether NetBenefits doesn't' create the specially-formatted tax files that at are needed for import.

_____

On thing that you might try, that might work? 

Before you try to import from NetBenefits, log into the NetBenefits account separately in whatever your default browser is (normally Safari for MACs, but I don't know if you can change that...Windows lets you change the default).  Then leave that open while you start your attempt to import whatever might be in NetBenefits for you. 

IF it doesn't that way either, you'll just have to enter whatever data you need manually, using the paper copy of the same form-type in front of you.

___________

My Regular Fidelity brokerage account tax files do import perfectly well though.

[rhaining23]

This did not help.  Neither did calling your support phone number.  I spent several minutes only to be told that I would have to type in the numbers manually, and then your rep unceremoniously hung up on me, when we weren't done with the phone call.  At no point was I ever told the reason for the problem or how to fix it.  I've imported these exact same documents in prior years.  Very, very bad customer service.

[rhaining23]

I was able to find a solution on my own, and am posting it here in case it will help anyone else.  I did not need a 1099-R form, but a combined 1099-DIV and 1099-INT from a non-retirement account.  I was trying to log in using Fidelity Net Benefits, as that's the only site and account I've ever used with Fidelity.  On a whim, I tried logging in to Fidelity.  The desktop TurboTax required me to setup an Intuit account in order to try this import.  (This is very scary from a security perspective -- I do not want to be giving my passwords to Inuit, nor do I feel I should need an intermediary between the app and Fidelity.)

But after signing in to Fidelity on a separate website (not sure if this mattered by I did it anyway), then trying to import from Fidelity (not Fidelity Net Benefits), then signing into an Inuit account in TurboTax desktop software, it then opened a new browser window and imported my Fidelity 1099-DIV and 1099-INT.

This is still a terrible bug.  The application gave me NO INFORMATION to figure out what I was doing wrong or how to fix it.  Neither did calling customer support help.

[SteamTrain]

@rhaining23 

Ahh, yeah....apparently you do have a regular Fidelity Brokerage account.

In the past, it sounds like you apparently logged into Fidelity NetBenefits...but then jumped to the Fidelity Brokerage from within the NetBenefits login (Yes, Fidelity allows that)

_____________

So you do have a regular Fidelity Brokerage account, you just didn't log into it in the normal manner.

And, yes, the tax form import must be done from separate logins into the proper Fidelity site, when attempting tax form imports, for whatever form you are attempting to import.   i.e. it becomes apparent, that just because Fidelity lets you jump between those two sites internally from either login for your personal account actions, that does NOT mean the tax forms for both sites will be available for importing into tax software, no matter which one you log into.