Error: box 14a For electronic filing, New York State withholdings can not be greater than or equal to gross distribution or state distribution. how to handle?

"Why is box 16 blank on my 1099-R?" - this is a question for the administrator who issued the 1099-R.

What were the entries in boxes 14 and 15?

Yes...for NY box 2a$$ into box 16 (As long as 2a has a real $$ value).

____________

Box 16 being empty seems to be a general industry standard (though there probably are exceptions)

_______

I have had 1099-R forms from Pacific Life, Fidelity, and Met Life over the years...none of them had box 16 filled in.