Box 2a on my CSA-1099-R reads "unknown" what should I enter in the box on Turbo Tax?

[AnnetteB6]

You should leave box 2a blank on the Form 1099-R input screen and check the box for 2b stating that 'taxable amount not determined'.  Then, there will be follow-up questions to answer so that the taxable amount can be calculated.  

[j_lambert17]

There is no box 2b on the CSA 1099-R input form of Turbo Tax. Is it located elsewhere?

[JamesG1]

Your CSA-1099-R may not report a value in box 2a.  If your form reports Total Employee Contributions in box 9b and you know your dates of service and retirement, you are able to compute your taxable amount.

TurboTax Online will use the simplified method to determine the taxable portion for box 2a of your CSA 1099-R.   Presume that:

• Monthly payments were received, 
• Payments started in 2024, and 
• That box 7 is code 7.

You will need to know:

• The amount of the employee contributions (should be in box 9b),
• The date the annuity started,
• The number of months that payments were received in 2024, 
• The age of the recipient when the annuity started,
• The age of other beneficiaries (if there are any), and 
• Was the recipient under the retirement age for the plan.

Follow these steps:

• Down the left side of the screen, click Federal.
• Down the left side of the screen, click Wages & Income.
• Click the down arrow to the right of Retirement Plans and Social Security.
• Click to the right of IRA 401(k) Pension Plan Withdrawal (1099-R).
• At the screen Who gave you a 1099-R, select  Office of Personnel Management (CSA 1099-R).
• At the screen Any Periodic Payments? select  Yes, got regular payments from this retirement account.
• At the screen Payment Start Year select Yes started getting payments in 2024.
• At the screen Let’s figure out how much is taxable, select I need to figure out how much of this money I took out is taxable.
• At the screen Enter Annuity Information enter required information.  Plan Cost should be in box 9b.
• At the screen Enter Ages enter required information.

View Federal 1040 tax return line 5a and 5b at Tax Tools / Tools / View Tax Summary / Preview my 1040.

@j_lambert17