I lived and worked in the Netherlands till 1989 and then moved to the USA (I am now a citizen). My Dutch employer started a pension plan for me. I cannot see what it is invested in because my previous employer owns it and I am just the beneficiary. I am only told what I will receive every month, it is the only info I get. In 2022 I started receiving monthly distributions from that pension plan, but nothing before 2022. I reported the entire pension received as miscellaneous income on my 1040. I understand that I have to file a 3520 because it is a distribution from a foreign trust (I think a pension plan is a trust). I am stuck on part III schedule A. Question 31 is what I received this year, 33-36 are all zero, so 37 is again what I received this year, which would mean the total will be treated as accumulation distribution instead of ordinary income ( as I reported on 1040). In 3520, part III schedule C we calculate tax on the accumulation distribution using form 4970. That then gets reported as additional tax on your 1040 (question 52). It does not make sense to me that this would be treated other than ordinary income. Where did I make a mistake?
