When will 1099-R form be available in 2020 TurboTax Deluxe? It appears on irs.gov, so appears to be ready from IRS, just not TurboTax software.

[Robert77]

I have the 2020 Deluxe version and am trying to complete an estimate for 2020 so I can make an estimated payment, primarily based on Form 1099-R

[Critter-3]

The current 2020 program is still incomplete and will require many many updates until it is fully operational sometime the last part of January or sometime in February or March when it comes to some forms and states.

[Thomas53]

The answer is unacceptable I have been using Turbo Tax for 18 years this is the first time I haven't been able to fill in items even though in the program you have Bold RED letters statement do not file 

[JRP99]

I agree.  I have the premier version and, in my opinion, the whole point of buying Turbo Tax early is to be able to  determine the impact of year end actions, determine the appropriate amount to pay for estimated taxes for 4Q20, etc.,  Not having one of the primary tax forms available, even though it IS available on the IRS site, eliminates the usefulness of Turbo Tax for tax planning.

[ronaldcox3883]

Concur with the other comments. This is not only unacceptable, it is unconscionable! Why should I  buy this product? I need this NOW to make sure my yearend plan is correct. I am ready to cancel my autorenewal, return this product and go with the competition.

[Critter-3]

The IRS has to implement and distribute the technical specs on new changes  to the tax software companies and then once they are worked into the program and tested the IRS must also test them and approve them which takes time.  Just because paper forms are ready doesn't mean programs are ready (which they are not ... they are still in draft status)  ... not even my professional program is ready yet.  

To do tax planning you can use the  downloaded program by using the What If tool in the FORMS mode or make direct form entries in the FORMS mode  or use the IRS estimation tool here : https://apps.irs.gov/app/tax-withholding-estimator/income-and-withholding

ANY tax software released by any company prior to about January 15 is only released for marketing and market share.  No program is complete and ready to file until the IRS approves their final forms and then individually reviews each program's implementation of the form.  And some tax situations aren't able to be filed until February or March, again mostly due to IRS delays.

[ronaldcox3883]

Thank you. I went into FORMS mode and created dummy 1099s & manually entered the minimum data. Everything else, including the state forms,  worked using these.

[DocProc]

I came here with the same question and used the FORMS suggestion. Thanks.

[Critter-3]

When is unknown at this time ... look in the 1099-R entry section from time to time.  Updates usually happen on Fridays so check then.  

• IRS Forms Availability Table for TurboTax Individual (Personal) Tax Products
• State Forms Availability Table for TurboTax Individual (Personal) Tax Products

[TKerestes]

Your answer is correct, BUT previous years, I have been able to enter 1099-R information to get an idea of what my tax situation would be before the final forms are available.  This year, I have to go to the forms section to enter data.  I find that a "stupid" fix...  Why is it different this year??

[TKerestes]

I completely agree JRP99.  Someone in Turbotax management should explain the change for 2020 as opposed to other years.  I find it important to make a dry run, with estimates, in mid Dec just to see what my outcome maybe when I get all the final information.  To have to go to the form section to fill out the information is a dumb work around.

[Critter-3]

The IRS is drafting new 1099R forms which has the entire section delayed.  Then the software has to programmed for them, and the IRS has to test and approve of the software.  It is a complex process because of the all the CARES changes.  It could even be a couple of months.  Meanwhile if you are trying to plan, if you have desktop for 2019 use the what if feature--but it will not have that CARES stuff.

Click on the REVIEW tab to see what it is and when it is estimated to be ready (when operational) ... 

IRS Forms Availability Table for TurboTax Individual (Personal) Tax Products

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State Forms Availability Table for TurboTax Individual (Personal) Tax Products

[TKerestes]

To Critter-3

So why can the forms section be used to enter the information?  The discussion is about using 2020 Turbotax to do a "dry run" even before final approved forms.  I am not disagreeing with what you have said, it just doesn't make any sense there is a "work around" for 1099-R and 1099-B information.  

[Critter-3]

Overrides in the FORMS mode can be done in the downloaded program however the calculations may not be accurate and you cannot efile with them in place ... so you can use the work around if you like but there are no guarantees.  

Unfortunately the changes to the tax law combined with the understaffing situation at the IRS has some things delayed this year and there is nothing you really can to about it.  Not even my professional program has this section fully operational yet and will not for a few weeks yet  ... that is just the way it is.  

[macuser_22]

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@TKerestes wrote:

To Critter-3

So why can the forms section be used to enter the information?  The discussion is about using 2020 Turbotax to do a "dry run" even before final approved forms.  I am not disagreeing with what you have said, it just doesn't make any sense there is a "work around" for 1099-R and 1099-B information.  

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The issue is not so much the 1099-R form itself that can be accessed in the forms mode, the issue is with the step-by-step interview that is requiring a major rewrite due to new related 8915 forms and COVID-19 CARES Act related retirement questions and forms that the IRS still has in the draft state.   The interview mode cannot be programed until the IRS releases the new forms electronic specifications that usually lag the paper form by 1-2 months and the paper forms have not even been releases yet.    Everyone is waiting on the IRS.

You *can* enter information and get a good idea in the forms mode, but TurboTax does not officially guarantee the forms mode because only the interview mode can properly link all necessary related forms,  therefore direct forms entries fall outside of the TurboTax accuracy guarantee.

The forms mode should not be used to file a tax return since it is prone to user entry errors, so direct form entry voids the accuracy guarantee since direct form entry bypasses many of the error checks built into the interview mode.