It's asking me for the years I've received retirement distributions, was the amount in box 2a of form 1099-R used as the taxable amount? I don't understand this question.

[userdj9281]

Are they asking if the box 2a is the exact same amount this year as last year? I have a cola so the amount goes up slightly each time I get a cola.

[dmertz · Accepted solution]

They are asking if in past years you considered the amount in box 2a of the Form 1099-R for that year to be the correct taxable amount and therefore reported the box 2a amount as the taxable amount on your tax return for that year.  TurboTax is essentially trying to determine if you instead used the Simplified Method to calculate a different taxable amount, which is normally the correct thing to do only if box 2a Taxable amount not determined is marked and you know the amount in box 2a is incorrect or box 2a is blank.