Personal Finance and Investing

I filed 8606 after making excess contributions to my IRA rather than getting them back. Now, I use them to calculate the non-taxable part of my distributions from the IRA.

I've tried three of the free online tax services and all of them could not seem to handle 8606 correctly in spite of their statements that they do. One even told me to submit a 1040 with an incorrect amount (double the retirement payments I received) as it didn't change my tax amount. I told them no, I wouldn't knowingly submit an incorrect form to the IRS. I tried to find a specific address or email at the IRS to inform them of these issues with no luck. I did send a letter to a more general address and received no response.

I filed paper that year and continue to do so. I refuse to pay for services I can do myself. Manual filing takes a lot less time than the interview style of input. And a lot less time than doing it three times. I make sure I have paid close to what I owe, so there is no hurry to get a refund.

Your post reminded me that the last time I checked the IRS did not have the 2017 instructions ready. They are ready now. The instructions note that some changes this year are for special withdrawals associated with 2017 disasters. I can understand this being a bit late.