Retirement tax questions

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@phyzx wrote:

@ChampChiranand anybody else who wants to chime in.

I have gotten here by the rabbit hole.

My 2017 box 2a states unknown. So that means the Simplified method for a 12 month time frame. I even created a spread sheet for the next two years.

But my 2016 OPM 1099-r states the starting date of 06/01/2016. The box 2a has an amount in it. So I assumed the Simplified method starts in 2017 with no previous year recovery amount (0) for line 6.

But my concern is the later 6 months of 2016. If the box 2a has an amount am I to assume that 2016 is not included in the Simplified method worksheet and that box2a taxable amount is already correct?

I assume that the blank amount in box2a triggered the Simplified Method in TurboTax?

I hope I made this clear. I could have started a new question but it ties in here so clearly.

Thank you in advance.

I would really like to finish up at a decent hour. 8-)

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I suggest that you discuss this with the pension department at OPM.    The simplified method is used to recover the tax free contributions that you made and are part of every monthly payment.    If you have an unrecovered after-tax "basis" then you should have used the simplified method starting with the very first payment.   You should ask them why the 2016 had a taxable amount and 2017 does not (it might have something to do with a part year pension, but only OPM can tell you their rules).   They should also be able to tell you what start date to use.

See IRS Pub 971page 5  for information.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p721.pdf