For a 1099-R entry, should the system state that I am claiming zero taxable amount when the Tax not calculated box is checked?

[dankokomo]

The Form 1099-R has the Tax not calculated box checked and nothing entered for the Taxable Amount.

[MaryK4]

No, if the Box 2a and the Taxable Amount Not Determined are both blank, the entire amount is taxable by default.  If you have any basis, you will have to enter it in TurboTax to reduce the taxable amount.

[macuser_22]

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@dankokomo wrote:
The Form 1099-R has the Tax not calculated box checked and nothing entered for the Taxable Amount.

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What is the type of account that the 1099-R is for?

Usually the taxable amount is the box 1 amount unless you have non-deducible prior contribution that would reduce the taxable amount.

[dankokomo]

Thanks for the attention.  The 1099R is an annual distribution from a pension plan.  The 1099R came through with the tax not calculated box checked and nothing in the taxable amount box.  The taxable amount is supposed to be determined by Worksheet A (Simplified Method) based on last year's Worksheet A.  Yet the system is saying that I am claiming no taxable amount but I think it should give me the chance to subsequently enter the correct taxable amount.  In chatting on line with a Turbo Tax specialist yesterday, the recommendation was to change the 1099R by entering the calculated taxable amount in box 2a and unchecking the tax not calculated box.  I can do that but it seems like this is a Turbo Tax system issue that should be addressed.

[dankokomo]

Thanks for the comment but I might not have indicated that box 2b, tax not calculated, was checked.

[ErnieS0 · Accepted solution]

A blank Box 2a on Form 1099-R and "Taxable amount not determined" means you will have to answer more questions in TurboTax to calculate the taxable amount.

TurboTax also gives you the option to use the Box1 amount as the taxable amount. Answer Yes to Any Periodic Payments? and answer questions about your pension.

You will see the option to use the Box 1 amount as the taxable le amount.

[dankokomo]

Thanks, I think you have solved the puzzle for me.  I was misled by Turbo Tax noting that the 1099-R indicated there was no taxable amount and asked if I wanted to change boxes 2a and 2b.  I had separately used Worksheet A of Publication 575 to determine the actual taxable amount but I saw no way of getting that into Turbo Tax.  I ended up inserting my calculated taxable amount from Worksheet A into box 2a and unchecking box 2b.  Little did I know that the additional questions from Turbo Tax were essentially doing the Worksheet A and using a calculated taxable amount without giving any indication that was happening.  I guess I need to trust Turbo Tax more blindly.  Turbo Tax could probably re-word the statements regrading the claim of no taxable amount depending on the entries of boxes 2a and 2b