I contributed 299.28 / year for yeara toward my pension and GE says that amount is non taxable. TTX now says it is taxable just this year, but never before. What gives?

[lightft]

I worked for GE for 18 years. 28 years later, my total contributions somehow becomes taxable all in one year? TTX system says I have to use the Simplified Method. The taxable amount this year is within a few hundred dollars of my entire annual pension. I don't smoke or drink but I think the programmer for this section just might? How do I fix this and how do I find out what others think?

[SteamTrain · Accepted solution]

@lightft 

On your 1099-R....did you have a value listed in box 2a that is somewhat lower than box 1  (but not blank)?

IF so, you may have answered NO to a follow-up question where you should have answered YES

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If your box 2a has a non-zero number in it..(not blank, nor marked as undetermined), and that number is somewhat lower than the box 1 number, due to an after-tax contribution amount that is noted in box 5...then edit that retirement form again, and when you get to the following page (below), answer it as-if the displayed edits were present  (i.e. you needed to answer YES).  

Answering YES will use the box 2a $$ amount on your for 1040.  Check lines 5a and 5b before and after entering that 1099-R. 

 (But if you answered No, and already entered some $$ in the "General" or "Simplified" calculation area ,you might need to delete your 1099-R first and re-enter it from scratch...not sure of that though)

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