1099-R’s
come in two versions.
In
the first version both box 1 and box
2a contain #’s. This means that the plan custodian had the information to
determine the taxable amount and did so. Enter both #’s, (even
if they are the same), and TurboTax will put the amounts on either Lines 12a & b
of the 1040A or Lines 16a & b of the 1040.
In
the second version, box 2a is blank and, IF there
is a box 2b, it will be checked. This means that the plan custodian did not have
the information needed to determine the taxable amount. Leave box
2a blank, do not enter "0". Regardless of
whether or not your 1099-R has the check box, you should check it on
the TurboTax screen since that tells TurboTax that you left box 2a blank on
purpose.
Based
on your answers to all of the program's questions TurboTax will compute the "box
2a" taxable amount and transfer it to the 1040 or 1040A. You
don't need to attempt to calculate the taxable amount yourself.
