As a retired public safety officer, I'm eligible to have my medical premiums subtracted from my income on 1040A line 12b. How do I get Turbo Tax to do that?

[Rainman12]

Payment will be reflected on your 1099-R and included in return if eligible; Must be paid direct from pension custodian.

[CarolC · Accepted solution]

Enter Form 1099-R exactly how it appears.  Answer Yes to the question, if you were Employed as a Public Safety Officer (law enforcement officer, firefighter, chaplain, or member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew).

Answer Yes, if the Pension Administrator Paid for Health Insurance.  Enter the total annual premium paid for the Health Insurance Payment Amount.  TurboTax will reduce the deduction to the $3,000 allowed.

"To qualify for this deduction, the distribution must be made directly from the plan to the insurance provider.  You can only make this election for amounts that would otherwise be included in your income.  The amount excluded from your income can't be used to claim a medical expense deduction."

Click IRS Publication 575 for additional PSO deduction information.

[Supersas]

The key to getting Turbo Tax to do this is you HAVE to enter YES to the question "were you employed as a public safety officer."  I answered "no" because I'm retired.  Apparently the question refers to way back when you were working.

[macuser_22]

It asks if you *were* employed as a PSO and are receiving a pension.   Meaning that you are a retired PSO.