Thank you for providing clarification!
I have verified with my custodian that the distribution is the return of contribution. The excess removal from the traditional IRA occurred shortly after I recharacterized from the Roth IRA to the traditional IRA. Therefore, there was no earnings generated.
I do have a question:
Should use a substitute Form 1099-R (Form 4852) since the actual Form 1099-R for the removal won't be available until next year? I have heard that filing a substitute form might increase the probability of an IRS audit.
