1099-R Box 7, code 7 Plan Cost

[jeff_anderson2002]

I am trying to enter in a 1099-R form from my Mt. Teachers Retirement pension. I retired a few years ago prior to turning 59 1/2 years old and have all the prerequisites from having to declare "early withdrawl" I turned 60 during this tax year.  My 1099-R box 7 code went from a 2 to 7. In doing so, the turbotax tax form is asking me to enter a plan cost. I have seen a couple explanations of plan cost: one said "it is what you have contributed to your plan prior to your first distribution (my first pension check), the second explanation said "plan cost is what you have contributed after your first distribution. Which one is correct?

[SharonD007]

The plan cost is the total of after-tax contributions.  It should be in box 9b. If you have no cost in your plan, your distributions are fully taxable.

For information on the taxability of retirement payments, refer to the IRS Topic no. 410, Pensions and annuities for more information.

[jeff_anderson2002]

If I have no entries in box 9b, is my plan cost $0?

[MarilynG1 · Accepted solution]

Yes, most teacher retirement plans are funded with pre-tax payroll deductions, so there were no after-tax contributions (so no plan cost).  Be sure to choose the 'Source' of the distribution correctly in the follow-up questions.  If a City/State/County, etc. retirement fund, it may not be taxable in your state.

Here's more info on Tax Tips for Retirement.

@jeff_anderson2002