Box 2a 1099R = "UNKNOWN". ex wife receives a portion from court order. Do I subtract total paid to her from Box 1-Gross Distribution to determine Box 2a-Taxable Amt ?

[jrobin5881]

OR Enter existing Box 1-Gross Distribution

[ErnieS0]

“Unknown” in Form 1099-R Box 2a generally means a portion of your retirement may not be taxable because you contributed money to the plan while you were working.

Leave Box 2a blank. The “Taxable amount not determined” box should be checked. TurboTax will ask additional questions and give you the option to figure out how much of your pension is taxable, or claim the whole Box 1 amount as taxable.

If part of your pension is going to your ex-wife issue her a nominee Form 1099-R and subtract the amount elsewhere on your taxes.

Split 1099-R income with ex-spouse explains how to do this.