It is my understanding that this error check is in place only for certain states who require that an amount be placed in box 16 if there are withholdings present in box 14. Box 15 for the state and state ID number will also need to be filled in. Each state has its own specifications and error checks with regard to items reported with state information, and those requirements can change from year to year. TurboTax just put this error check in place before you actually file the return so that it would not be rejected by the state and require you to fix it later.
Your actual state tax return is based on the information reported on your Federal return, so boxes 1 and 2 of your Form 1099-R are much more critical than box 16 with regard to your state return calculations.
While it cannot be guaranteed that putting the amount reported in box 1 in box 16 also will not affect your electronic filing of your return, you can always choose to file by mail instead if you are worried.
@DG2016
@Sladrock
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