Putting zero in required RMD amount does make the error go away.  But if the document 1099-R we have in our hands says NOTHING about the RMD,  we're left asking our clients to go back to their broker or pension source and ask THEM to tell them what the RMD was?   They're expecting people (1) to know what their RMD was and (2) to confess to their tax preparer that they didn't take it (neither of these are going to happen).   I don't have any idea what my OWN RMD is!