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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 6:03:07 PM

My employer has 401(a) defined benefit retirement plan for me. No where on my W2 is there an indication of what I have contributed to that account. What do I do?

Turbo Tax asks me to get the contribution from my year end statement.  the year end statement from my employer reports the balance from July one year, to June the next year.  Turbo tax asks to indicate my contributions thru April 15 on that tax year.  Am I to estimate what the amount would have been reported spanning January to December of that tax year?  Is Turbo Tax asking if I choose to ADD to my Year End Summary for that Tax year? 

0 12 3589
12 Replies
Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:03:09 PM

It may be in Box 12 or Box 14 of your W-2.  Or ask the plan administrator.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:03:12 PM

What are you entering that you need the year end statement and contributions?  Are you entering a 1099R for a Distribution?

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:03:14 PM
New Member
May 31, 2019 6:03:15 PM

Turbo tax is asking in Deductions.  I have no distributions for that year.  Do I simply put ZERO?  Even though I see no other explanations or instructions on IRS web site or from Turbo Tax?

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:03:18 PM

Skip the deduction part asking about IRA contributions.  That is for normal regular IRA contributions you make on your own outside of work.  Like at the bank or with your own broker or mutual fund company.  As we have said the deductions on your paycheck are pre-tax (meaning before taxes) and have already been deducted from your income and you can NOT deduct them again.

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:03:20 PM

Box 12 indicates DD and $ cost of employer-sponsored health coverage.  Box 14 is empty.  Plan administrator responded that it is a "401(a) defined benefit retirement plan with no Individual Retirement Account (IRA) savings plan available."  I am confused.

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:03:22 PM

Thank you VolvoGirl.  I will skip it.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:03:23 PM

You don't need to do or enter anything for that.  You did not contribute to a IRA.  Just skip it.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:03:25 PM

A 401(a) or retirement contribution that comes out of your paycheck pre-tax (meaning before taxes) has already been deducted from your gross wages in box 1 on your W2, and you can't deduct it again. Notice that box 1 is less than boxes 3 & 5.  You only enter it from the W2.

New Member
May 31, 2019 6:03:27 PM

My contributions to my 401(a) are post tax, and therefore not deducted from my gross wages. Does that make it deductible?

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:03:28 PM

No, however when you draw your pension a certain amount will be non-deductible return of contributions.

Level 15
May 31, 2019 6:03:30 PM

The plan will keep track of that for you.