It is possible to attach multiple PDF files to represent summary totals for Form 8949.  In a situation where a single PDF file would be quite large in size, it may even be necessary to attach multiple PDF files as there is a size limitation of 3 MB for attachments in the TaxAct Online program (2 MB for the Desktop program).

To understand better how PDF attachments are supported for Form 8949, follow the steps below to view the Form 8949 Attachment Information Summary.  Multiple copies of this summary form can be created in the return and then 1 PDF attachment is used to represent the information contained in each summary form.  Each form can represent up to 6 worksheets in the return (1 worksheet for each of the 6 different reporting categories on the form), however there would still be only 1 PDF to represent each Form 8949 Attachment Information Summary form created.  If multiple forms would represent the same brokerage, you would need to somehow differentiate the brokerage name entry for each form (i.e. TD Ameritrade 1, TD Ameritrade 2, TD Ameritrade 3, etc.).

To view the Form 8949 Attachment Information Summary form:

To enter the information for each Form 8949 Attachment Information Summary form (each form created would then be represented by a PDF which would be attached to the return in the filing steps):

1. From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click Federal.  On smaller devices, click the menu icon in the upper left-hand corner, then select Federal.
2. Click Investment Income to expand the category and then click Gain or loss on the sale of investments in the Federal Quick Q&A Topics menu to expand that category
3. Click Enter totals from a statement of transactions you will attach to your return
4. Click +Add Form 8949 to create a new copy of the Form 8949 Attachment Information Summary form or click Review to review a copy already created
5. On the following screen, check the box, then click Continue
6. Enter the name of the brokerage firm (e.g. TD Ameritrade, E*Trade) or software vendor (e.g. GainsKeeper, TradeLog, Form8949.com) who supplied you with the attachment and click Continue
7. You will now enter the summary totals for this summary form based upon each reporting category:
• For each reporting category you need to report, click Add
• To review previously entered Summary Total amounts, click Review
8. Select the reporting category for the totals you are entering and click Continue.
9. Enter the summary totals for the reporting category and click Continue
10. The next screen will show how the information will be reported on Form 8949. Click Continue to add another reporting category, click Continue twice more to instead add another Form 8949 Attachment Information Summary form. If you have more than six brokerage statements, you would want to enter the six containing the most transactions by this method and then enter the transactions on the other statements via another method.