Pensions not included in 1040 Line 4a? But is included in Line 4b. Line 4b should not be > 4a. Line 4a should be all 1099-R B1, Line 4b sum of Box 2a.

[angela829]

GAHiker having the same case as yours and will efile in the way they are soon. Whatever needs further touch let IRS and its advocates and TT figure out for next year return. My 1040 and 8606 are fine in the way TT did which is in compliance with IRS guidelines.

[angela829]

@d2richland I totally agree with you in theory. However, IRS should fix their guidelines of 2018 1040 instructions so TT can fulfill their corrections in compliance with IRS. Don't know why IRS prefers having fully taxable  pension not being included on line 4a while pension had its own line to capture both gross distributions and taxable amounts in previous years!!! Hope next year return will be better!!!

[iamwhoiam]

@cowgirlrising  So only your pension is on line 4a and only your IRA distribution is on 4b?  My total pension is on 4a, taxable part of pension and fully taxable IRA distributions are on 4b.  Was your 4a greater or less than  your 4b?
@angela829  Don't agree with you.  None of my fully taxable IRAs distributions are on 4a.  They are both on 4b.  I've read the IRS instructions multiple times and also talked with an IRS agent who told me that all of the 1099-Rs gross distribution amounts should be totaled and included on line 4a.    More than one distribution = total amount on line 4a and taxable amounts on 4b as per IRS instructions.   Some tax software products are doing this.
It would have been better if pension/annuities and IRAs had not been combined.  IRS should go back to having separate lines for each of them.

[cowgirlrising]

One pension, none of it taxable, on 4a. IRA distribution, fully taxable, on 4b

[georgebaechtle15]

my Line 4a does not include fully taxable IRA distribution but 4b does include it. therefore 4a<4b. tax due calculation appears correct - an obvious TT error. TT should address this. as many people above, I plan to file electronically as is.

[iamwhoiam]

@cowgirlrising Was the amount on 4a less than or greater than 4b?

I am planning to file this coming week.  Want to e-file federal and will mail state.  Amount on line 4a on federal does not match amount on 4a of state form but then the amount on 15a of federal was blank in the past and 15a on state was filled in with gross distributions from IRAs.   1099-Rs will be attached to my state return since that is being mailed.   

[cowgirlrising]

4a was less than 4b.

[georgebaechtle15]

Yes, 4a is less than 4b - cannot be right

[iamwhoiam]

@georgebaechtle15  Did you wind up filing as is with 4a less than 4b?  I've asked via phone and also on threads here if there will be a fix.   I was hoping there would be one before I file.

[georgebaechtle15]

yes, I filed. noted that several others had done so already. I agree TT needs to provide a fix. good luck

[iamwhoiam]

Thanks @georgebaechtle15   Good luck to you, too.  

[bparrish_1433]

At least as of today, there is a link to click on the discussion referenced above to allow you to be notified when a solution is available. They ask for email and phone number.  See <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4573173-why-is-line-4a-less-than-line-4b-on-for-1040">https://ttlc...>

[iamwhoiam]

Link has been there for about a month.  I signed up last week.  

[bparrish_1433]

Yes - I noticed it was about a month old - I mostly posted because the first link in this thread (which ends in 7747129) doesn't work - but this one at least goes to a sign-up box... and I think it's the same problem. It seems like in a month they should have been able to come up with something...  

[carbars123]

I have a slightly different problem.  In looking at 1099-R Summary, only the pension is listed for gross, but the taxable amount is correct - total from pension, IRA and annuity.