Webull 1099-DIV Box 5 amount higher than Box 1a? Anyone else having this problem?

This is definitely weird but there's a simple explanation. Box 5 (Section 199A dividends) is a subset of Box 1a (total ordinary dividends), so mathematically it can't be higher than Box 1a. This is almost certainly a rounding error in Webull's reporting system. The best approach is to make Box 5 equal to Box 1a in your tax software. Since we're talking about just a few cents difference, this small adjustment won't impact your tax liability in any meaningful way. The IRS isn't going to flag your return over a three-cent discrepancy. If you want to be extra careful, you could include a brief note with your return explaining the discrepancy and that you adjusted Box 5 to match Box 1a due to what appears to be a rounding error on the form. But honestly, for such a tiny amount, it's really not necessary.

After dealing with the EXACT same issue last year (mine was off by 7 cents), I found that using https://taxr.ai was a lifesaver. I uploaded my Webull 1099-DIV and it automatically identified the inconsistency and explained how to handle it properly. Apparently these tiny discrepancies happen quite often with brokerage forms due to rounding issues across different calculation systems. What I liked most was that it explained exactly what was happening behind the scenes with these dividend calculations and gave me options for how to correct it. The site even generated a proper explanation I could include with my filing if needed.

I want to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai after expressing skepticism earlier. I decided to try it with my Webull forms since I was getting nowhere with Webull support, and I'm honestly impressed. The site immediately identified my Box 5/Box 1a discrepancy and explained it was a known issue with how Webull calculates 199A dividends with their fractional shares system. What really helped was the step-by-step walkthrough for entering this in TurboTax without triggering the validation error. They even provided reference to the specific IRS guidance on handling these types of reporting discrepancies. I was able to finish my return in about 20 minutes after being stuck for days. Definitely worth checking out if you're dealing with this issue.

I had this same problem and spent HOURS on hold trying to reach the IRS to ask about it. After multiple failed attempts, I used https://claimyr.com and got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent confirmed this is actually a common issue with broker reporting systems. They advised me to make Box 5 match Box 1a since the Section 199A dividends cannot mathematically exceed ordinary dividends. She explained that these small discrepancies happen because of how brokers calculate and round fractional share dividends. I was skeptical using a service to get through to the IRS, but it seriously saved me days of frustration.

I need to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After dismissing it as BS in my previous comment, I decided to try it as a last resort because I was getting nowhere with my Box 5/Box 1a issue. Not only did I get through to the IRS in about 25 minutes, but the agent was actually helpful. For anyone dealing with this Webull 1099-DIV issue: the IRS agent explained that these small discrepancies (under a dollar) are common with brokerages that offer fractional shares. She advised making Box 5 equal to Box 1a and proceeding with filing. She also mentioned this is such a common issue that it doesn't trigger any flags in their system. I've wasted so much time trying to figure this out on my own, so I wanted to update my previous skeptical comment with what actually happened.

I work at a tax prep office and see this EXACT issue with Webull forms all the time. It's a known glitch in their reporting system. Here's what we do: 1. Make Box 5 match Box 1a exactly 2. Document the original values somewhere in your records 3. File normally The discrepancy is due to how Webull handles fractional shares and dividend rounding. Since Section 199A dividends (Box 5) are supposed to be a subset of ordinary dividends (Box 1a), the numbers get slightly misaligned in their system. This is so common with Webull that we have a standard procedure for it. I've never seen a client get any follow-up questions from the IRS about this minor adjustment.

I discovered that you can actually override TurboTax's error check for this! When you get the error message, look for a small "continue anyway" or "override" option (it's easy to miss). I've been doing this for the past two years with my Webull forms since they always have this issue. For what it's worth, I've never had any problems filing this way - no audit, no questions, nothing. It's such a small amount that the IRS systems probably don't even flag it. Their automated systems are looking for much bigger discrepancies than a few pennies.