I receive a monthly pension from an employer, I have the gross distribution amount, but the Box 2b regarding the taxable amount is not checked. How do I figure the tax

[belurae]

are pension payments taxable

[DawnC · Accepted solution]

Generally, yes, pension payments are taxable income.   TurboTax will figure the tax, all you have to do is enter the information from the form.   You can leave 2b blank and unchecked.  

A qualified retirement plan is one that is sponsored by an employer for the exclusive benefit of employees.  These plans follow special IRS rules and qualify for special tax treatment, such as deferring paying taxes on the contributions until retirement.   Qualified plans include:

• 401(k)s
• 403(b)s (also known as "tax-sheltered annuity plans")
• SEP and SIMPLE plans for employees of small businesses
• Pension plans
• Profit-sharing plans
• Stock bonus plans

[belurae]

Thank you, so turbo tax will figure out how much federal and state taxes should be applied to the amount I received on the 1099-R, correct?  Where in my tax forms would I find these amounts?  

[DoninGA]

@belurae The federal income taxes withheld are shown in box 4 of the Form 1099-R that you received and enter on your tax return.  The taxes are reported on the Form 1040 Line 25b

[AnnetteB6]

Based on your answers to the follow-up questions when you entered your Form 1099-R for the pension distribution, TurboTax will calculate how much of the distribution is taxable.  Then the taxable amount will be added to any other income you are reporting on your return before the final income tax amount is determined.  

TurboTax does not calculate a specific amount of Federal or state income tax attributed only to the pension distribution.  

You can see the taxable amount of the pension distribution on Form 1040 line 5b.  This line will include all taxable pension distributions, so if you have more than one Form 1099-R from pensions the total taxable amount is on line 5b.

@belurae