Where do I input taxable amount for Roth conversion if 1099-R is incomplete?

This is a common issue with mega backdoor Roth conversions. When the 1099-R has the "taxable amount not determined" box checked, the IRS is basically saying "we're not making the call on how much is taxable." It's putting the responsibility on you to determine and report the correct taxable portion. In H&R Block, when you enter the 1099-R information, there should be a screen that asks about the taxable amount. After entering the information from boxes 1 and 2a, look for an option that lets you override the taxable amount. You'll need to enter zero as the taxable amount and then provide an explanation. Usually, you'll need to include Form 8606 (Nondeductible IRAs) with your return. This form is where you document the non-deductible (after-tax) contributions, which establishes your basis in the IRA. The form will help you calculate the taxable portion of your conversion, which in your case should be zero if this was all after-tax money.

I ran into this exact same problem last year. The 1099-R doesn't tell the whole story with mega backdoor Roth conversions. After pulling my hair out for hours, I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me SO much frustration. What I did was upload my 1099-R and it immediately identified the mega backdoor Roth conversion pattern. It walked me through exactly how to report it correctly on H&R Block by showing me screenshots of where to click and what to enter. The coolest part was it explained what Form 8606 is doing behind the scenes so I actually understood why I needed to override the taxable amount. It even generated a personalized explanation I could include with my return explaining why the taxable amount differs from what's shown on the 1099-R. Seriously made the whole process way less stressful!

Just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai that was mentioned above. I was really struggling with my mega backdoor Roth conversion reporting and decided to give it a try. I uploaded my 1099-R and it immediately recognized that I was dealing with a mega backdoor Roth situation. It walked me through the exact steps in TurboTax to properly report the conversion without paying double tax. The best part was it explained WHY I needed to fill out Form 8606 and how it works to track my basis. Turns out I've been reporting my conversions wrong for TWO YEARS and potentially overpaying taxes! It even helped me figure out if I should file amended returns. I never would have caught this on my own. The peace of mind knowing I'm filing correctly is totally worth it.

If you're still struggling with this after trying everything else, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation with a weird 1099-R scenario that no tax software could handle correctly. After getting nowhere with H&R Block's support, I used Claimyr to get through to an actual IRS representative in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. The agent walked me through exactly how to report my Roth conversion properly and explained what documentation I needed to include with my return to avoid getting flagged for audit. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically it navigates the IRS phone system for you and calls you back when an agent is actually on the line. Saved me a ton of frustration and I got authoritative guidance straight from the IRS.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still desperate for help with my mega backdoor Roth conversion issue, so I gave it a try anyway. I got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes (I called early in the morning). The agent was actually super helpful and walked me through exactly how to report my 1099-R with the "taxable amount not determined" box checked. They explained that I needed to file Form 8606 to establish my basis and show that I already paid tax on the contributions. What surprised me most was how confident I felt after the call. No more guessing or worrying about doing it wrong. If anyone questions my return, I have notes from my conversation with the actual IRS. Definitely worth it, especially for complex situations like Roth conversions that tax software struggles with.

I do mega backdoor Roth conversions every year and here's the simplest way to handle it in H&R Block: 1. Enter your 1099-R information exactly as it appears 2. When you get to the screen asking about the type of distribution, select "Rollover" 3. On the next screen, it should ask if you want to override the taxable amount - select YES 4. Enter zero as the taxable amount 5. Make sure to complete Form 8606 to document your basis The key is that Form 8606 needs to show that you've already paid tax on these contributions. Without that form, the IRS has no way to know that this was after-tax money.

Has anyone successfully e-filed with this situation? I'm concerned that if I override the taxable amount to zero when my 1099-R shows the full amount as taxable, my return might get rejected. Should I just file by mail with an explanation letter attached?