It depends. Is it a 1099R CSA, CSR, or regular 1099R? Also was this an early distribution because of COVID or a retirement distribution? Usually if a standard 1099R, the taxable amount is usually the same as the distribution unless certain conditions apply. Also, if it an early distribution, there may be a 10% early withdrawal penalty.

In answer to your question, many factors can determine the taxability of this pension distribution.

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DoninGA

Level 15

Is the taxable amount of the distribution shown on Form 1040 Line 4b?

ottoslick

Level 2

In TurboTax 2019 when I enter my two pensions on 1099-R's the pension total doesn't show up on line 4c and 4d on 1040

jack021

Level 2

This 4a/4b problem has kept me from e-filing for a significant refund for over a week. I've applied a bandaid approach suggested by someone (i.e. uncheck the "IRA" box on the worksheet for my RMDs). Why doesn't TT simply fix this error as it is of their making and they are responsible?

macuser_22

Alumni - Champ

The IRS line 4 institutions say that of all of a IRA distribution is taxable to put the taxable amount on line 4b and nothing on 4a.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

donahuethomas

Level 2

I filed my 1040 and the IRS sent me a refund check for my taxes owed on the IRA distribution––I was informed by the irs phone rep that the 4b amount was automatically removed from the 1040 because of 4a being empty. I have to file an amended return ––turbo tax still blanks out 4a I will fill 4a in by hand and jump through the IRS hoops––this is going to be the nightmare of taxpayers for 2019. Many will spend the refund because the IRS states in the letter that an error was made on tax calculations––bet they will come back for it and penalties to boot. Be prepared to spend the better part of a day on the phone to the IRS getting bounced around––-ask immedietely to be transfered to the tax law specialist (they know what they are talking about)

prtaylor56

Level 5

@avian99

Glad to hear it. Different filers reported different outcomes with 4a < 4b. Just glad it's over for this year (I got my expected refund after filing with 4a "corrected" by my edit).

DenisC

Level 2

If the gross distribution is fully taxable and there are not any exceptions then 1040 line 4a should be blank. See the excerpt pasted from the IRS 2019 instructions:

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf

A. Except
as provided next, leave line 4a blank and
enter the total distribution (from Form
1099-R, box 1) on line 4b

R-92_2

Level 2

My TurboTax does not properly bookkeep IRA and Pension income properly. It puts information into box 5 that should be in box 4 for the 1040 tax form, I have checked all the input data and it is correct, but TurboTax is reporting it to the wrong box.

DoninGA

Level 15

@R-92_2 wrote:

My TurboTax does not properly bookkeep IRA and Pension income properly. It puts information into box 5 that should be in box 4 for the 1040 tax form, I have checked all the input data and it is correct, but TurboTax is reporting it to the wrong box.

Did you check the IRA/SEP/SIMPLE box on the TurboTax Form 1099-R?