This is like being asked to be like Eve in the Garden - go over to a tree I shouldn't and listen to the Snake.
Why put something into box 16 if my 1099-R has it blank, and "WHY" should I enter the amount found in the 1099-R box 1 or 2a "OR" to be told to enter the amount found in box 14 into box 16? Box 1 or 2a which would be a VERY different amount than an amount found in box 14. And apart from that, the amount in box 1 or 2a contains the amount of QCDs (Qualified Charitable Distributions) which are TAX FREE !
- and Intuit knows that that has to be handled and Intuit inserts on the 1040 line is a "typed in" "QCD",
on the line and an amount which is box 2a minus the amount of the QCDs. That then is the resulting amount that I am taxed, so why would the State want an amount that I am not being taxed for, and why is it referred to as wages if I am retired and this is just a 1099-R of an IRA?
I e-Filed once and got Audited by the IRS because they could not determine what effect the QCDs had on the return and expected me to pay taxes on them. I had to explain to the agent what TurboTax does to deal with QCDs. (and Frankly, IRS agents are Not fans of TurboTax - I have had to talk to 4 agents in the past to resolve issue). (Note - the problem is not who produces the 1099-R, nor is it the IRS - It is Congress that won't fix the 1099-R).
