Editable 8949 PDF attachments show as empty when I download them in Final Steps - Check status

Question

Hi all,

I was given a pre-filled, editable PDF version of Form 8949. When I opened it on my computer, the fields were highlighted in blue and I was able to edit them as expected.

However, after uploading this form to FreeTaxUSA and submitting my return, I went to the "Final Steps" → "Check Status / Print Tax Return" → "View Your Forms" section to download a copy. The PDF I downloaded now appears uneditable, and all the data I had entered is missing.

Is this normal behavior? Do I need to amend my return with a version of the PDF that retains the values?

Also, is there a way to view the exact copy of the 8949 that was submitted with my return (not just the cover letter or a converted version)?

Thanks in advance!

GeorgeM · Answer

Hello jlim:

It’s not clear why when you view your forms in the Final Steps section that you are not seeing the data contained in your uploaded pdf file.

Because your tax return has already been accepted, it’s highly unlikely that the IRS will later revoke that Acceptance and replace it with a Rejection notice because your pdf file is missing information.  Rather, you might get a letter from the IRS requesting the missing information; however, this assumes the pdf that was e-filed to the IRS is in fact a blank form.

For now, the best approach is to wait and see if the IRS needs any additional information from you.  In the interim, we can discuss your situation with our development team and see if you need to take any additional steps.  Moreover, feel free to contact our customer support team as well when you log back into your account and explain the situation.

jlim · Answer

https://community.freetaxusa.com/discussion/comment/5551#Comment_5551

Thanks for the reply.

I don’t have a blank version of the form saved, since the PDF I uploaded was already pre-filled by the tax software I used.

What’s confusing me is that I’m not sure which version of the form was actually submitted to the IRS. When I go to:
Income → Investment and Savings → Attach Summary Statements for Your Sales,

and click "View" next to the Federal (Sale 1) Summary Statement, I see a preview of the PDF I uploaded, and all the entries appear correctly.

However, when I go to:
Final Steps → Check Status / Print Tax Return → View Your Forms,

I only see the cover letter along with a blank (unfilled) version of the form.

Since both my federal and state returns were accepted, can I safely assume this is just a display issue or bug in FreeTaxUSA—where the system strips out the editable field values when generating the downloadable "View Your Forms" PDF?

Appreciate any insight—just want to make sure the correct form was submitted.

GeorgeM · Answer

Hello jlim:

Did you save your editable pdf version of Form 8949 as a separate file with its own file name?  Typically, with editable pdf files if you do not save, as a separate pdf file, your edits will not be saved and when you re-open the pdf file you are likely to see what you saw, namely a blank page.

The copy of your tax return that you downloaded which included the blank Form 8949 is probably what was e-filed with the IRS, meaning the IRS also received a blank Form 8949.

Regarding amending your tax return, assuming your numbers are not changing, and the only thing you want to do is include a properly completed Form 8949 with your federal tax return, then just mail the completed Form 8949 to the appropriate IRS office.

Generally, a taxpayer will amend their previously filed tax return because an income amount, or a deduction or credit, needs to change; however, in your situation it appears that the amounts are not changing, rather you are just including with your federal tax return a properly completed Form 8949 because the previous one submitted was blank.

However, if for some reason, the amounts on your federal tax return do need to change, then you can amend your tax return only after the IRS has accepted your tax return.  If you have not received notice of IRS acceptance, you are not in a position where you can amend your tax return, and you will have to wait until the IRS accepts your tax return.

Conversely, should the IRS reject your return, for whatever reason, you can log back into your account and make whatever changes need to be made including uploading a properly saved pdf file of Form 8949.  Before you upload the pdf file of your Form 8949, just open it to ensure that the amounts you entered have been saved.

Let us know if you have additional questions regarding this matter.