Entering 1099R from OPM. After I'm done it says, "Needs Review" and my "Enter Health Insurance Amount from Box 5" is always back to $0. Even I enter an amount there. Why

[surfdog]

Called and talked to Turbo Tax... they admitted it was odd, but couldn't solve (??) Now what?

[VolvoGirl]

Did you try completely deleting that 1099R and re enter it?  One thing,   if you go back and review or edit a 1099R it doesn't keep your answers from before but resets them to the defaults so you will have to enter all the boxes again and go though all the questions again.

[macuser_22]

Are you entering it as a CSA 1099-R and not just a 1099-R?

That is probably a CSA 1099-R from OPM.

Is there an amount in box 5?

The taxable amount in box 2a is usually the box 1 amount unless you have after-tax contributions in the retirement plan and use the simplified method. If this is NOT the first year of receiving payments, then you should use the same method that was used last year - either the box 1 amount or the simplified method, using the carry forward simplified information from last year.

If box 2a is blank or UNKNOWN then there should be amount in box 9b to use with the simplified method. If no amount in 9b then contact OPM to find the account "basis".

Enter a 1099-R here:

Federal Taxes,
Wages & Income
I’ll choose what I work on (if that screen comes up),
Retirement Plans & Social Security,
IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R).

OR Use the "Tools" menu (if online version under My Account) and then "Search Topics" for "1099-R" which will take you to the same place.

Be sure to choose which spouse the 1099-R is for if this is a joint tax return.
Be sure to pick the correct 1099-R type: Standard 1099-R, CSA-1099-R, CSF-1099-R, RRB-1099-R.

[NOTE: When you get to the "Your 1099-R Entries" screen where you can add another 1099-R, use "continue" to keep going as there are additional interview questions after that screen in most cases. You can always return as shown above.]

[surfdog]

Yes, it's a CSA 1099-R from OPM.

 Yes, there is an amount in Box 5

Box 2a is less than Box 1. Because some of my income was already taxed (that basis is the amount in Box 5). I checked last years return same thing. So when asked about that I select "Yes, the taxable annuity amount was used as the taxable amount."

When done... it still says "Needs review". I'm perplexed and unfortunately the TurboTax expert was as well... 

[surfdog]

Thanks,,, yep, deleted and re-entered twice... no luck.  Filled it out over 6 times now :(

[macuser_22]

The 1099-R interview is not complete yet.   There will be more updates to come.

[surfdog]

Thanks for the info mancuser_22... not sure how you know this 🙂   But I'm standing by for a week for so based on your reply. 

[macuser_22]

Actually  a CSA 1099-R for an OPM retirement, box 5 is NOT your prior contributions,  that amount is in box 9b.

Box 5 reports health insurance premiums paid from your pension.    

If OPM put it in the wrong box then  contact OPM.

[surfdog]

My bad.... you're are right Box 5 and 9b are correct.  Yes retirement... weird that TurboTax words it that way.

[macuser_22]

Asking about box 5 insurance appears to be a bug that has been reported.

[susielane]

TurboTax cannot handle an OPM 1099-R.   I have used Turbo Tax for several years and I always spend more time on this entry than the entire form.  Even if you get past the "needs review" stage (which sometimes magically goes away), TurboTax will NOT use the correct taxable amount.  They will use a slight lower amount than that in box 2a resulting in you paying less taxes than required.

[macuser_22]

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@susielane wrote:

TurboTax cannot handle an OPM 1099-R.   I have used Turbo Tax for several years and I always spend more time on this entry than the entire form.  Even if you get past the "needs review" stage (which sometimes magically goes away), TurboTax will NOT use the correct taxable amount.  They will use a slight lower amount than that in box 2a resulting in you paying less taxes than required.

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TurboTax asks if you use the box 2a method or the simplified method that WILL result in a lower amount of tax - that is what the simplified method is for,

See publication 721 page 6 for an explanation.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p721.pdf