When talking about getting your own money back, are you referring to pre-tax or after-tax money?
Pre-tax money was never taxed, so any retirement disbursement consisting of pre-tax contributing and earning will be 100% taxable and added to your AGI. If you received a 1099-R, Box 1 and Box 2a (taxable amount) would be the same.
If you contributed after-tax money, your after-tax contributions would not be taxable and not included in your AGI. Generally if you received a 1099-R, Box 2a (taxable amount) would be less than Box 1.
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is defined as gross income minus adjustments to income. Gross income includes your wages, dividends, capital gains, business income, retirement distributions as well as other income. Adjustments to Income include such items as Educator expenses, Student loan interest, Alimony payments or contributions to a retirement account. Your AGI will never be more than your Gross Total Income on you return and in some cases may be lower.
Adjusted Gross Income
