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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 11:03:28 AM

I have a federal pension. Turbo tax is asking me about RMD from an IRA? How do I answer these questions, so that my entire pension is not taxed as RMD?

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1 Best answer
Level 2
Feb 22, 2020 7:05:44 PM

YES, YES, YES! Civilian Federal retirement plans (FERS, CSRS, TSP)

are considered "Qualified" plans, meaning they are subject to RMD. But the good news is that your monthly annuity payments are considered as meeting the RMD, so just answer "Yes" to all the RMD questions.

15 Replies
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 11:03:30 AM

Federal pension from an IRA?  Is the IRA/SEP/SIMPLE Box checked on your Form 1099-R?  What is the distribution code shown in box 7?

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:03:31 AM

If you have a pension, you simply check yes that it''s all an RMD. The fact that a pension, or even an IRA distribution, is an RMD does not change the taxability of it, it simply avoids a penalty for not taking an RMD.

All pension plans are required to pay RMDs, lust like an IRA.  The only difference is that, if you take pension distributions according to the plan requirements in retirement, the tax law defines that as meeting the RMD requirements.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:03:32 AM

NO, NO, NO. You don't know what you are talking about. I am a federal retiree, with a pension. Of course it is taxable, but it isn't RMD. My pension has nothing to do with RMD, but turbo tax is treating it like RMD, resulting in a huge tax payment due from me.

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 11:03:33 AM

If you have a federal pension then you do NOT have a pension from an IRA.  Make sure the IRA/SEP/SIMPLE box is Not checked on the Form 1099-R.  If you are over age 70 1/2 just answer yes to the RMD question.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 11:03:34 AM

Thank you. You are the only one of about 5 "experts" that has given me a helpful answer. I greatly appreciate your help.

New Member
Feb 21, 2020 3:12:07 PM

This is my first time using Turbo Tax.  Why does TurboTax ask a question where "yes" is always the reply?  This is very confusing.  Equally confusing are all the questions about how monthly pension is paid (it's paid monthly :)), hurricanes, disaster...  I think that it would be a lot cleaner to separate pension payments from IRAs, etc., even if they are reported on the same form (if that is the case).

Level 2
Feb 22, 2020 7:05:44 PM

YES, YES, YES! Civilian Federal retirement plans (FERS, CSRS, TSP)

are considered "Qualified" plans, meaning they are subject to RMD. But the good news is that your monthly annuity payments are considered as meeting the RMD, so just answer "Yes" to all the RMD questions.

New Member
Feb 3, 2022 12:06:23 PM

So in 2022 the IRS asks "how much" and "yes" just will not work. If anyone thinks they can get a RMD Amount from the US Government, Office of Personnel Management let me know. Otherwise I am inclined to enter the difference between Form 1099R Box 1, Gross Distribution, and 2a, Taxable Amount. I also think Turbo Tax should also know this information and automatically fill in the box.

Expert Alumni
Feb 3, 2022 1:47:55 PM

Please be sure to select CSA if it is a Civil Service 1099-R when entering the 1099-R.

 

This is asked near the beginning of the entry screens. 

 

The program will not ask questions about an IRA and will handle it as an annuity. 

 

 

New Member
Jan 18, 2024 11:44:21 AM

No such screen.

New Member
Jan 18, 2024 11:47:02 AM

but why ask? makes this whole thread unnecessary (and TT users unhappy)

New Member
Jan 18, 2024 11:49:01 AM

No such box.

Level 15
Jan 18, 2024 11:50:49 AM

@HunterTheLittleGuy You have added to an old thread that has had no activity since early 2022--almost two years ago.  What are you trying to do?

New Member
Jan 18, 2024 11:58:43 AM

yes, two years old...clearly TT will not change but they need to . Not all that complicated. Simply recognize that retirees receiving monthly income from "defined benefit" pension plans (e.g. CSRS)  do not have to answer (confusing and irritating) q's re: RMDs. 

Level 1
Mar 26, 2024 12:18:35 PM

Agree, HuntertheLittleGuy. 

However, Is it not possible that our CSA qualified plan payments might satisfy the RMD for not only our pension, but also for withrawls required of other qualified plans (IRA's)?

And when the choice is: All is an RMD or Part is RMD? Followed by requirement for a numerical amount, a "yes" does not compute.