In the case of a missing or nonexistent Form 1099-R (which is the tax document that is normally issued by the 401k fiduciary or pension company), your first course of action is typically to contact the 401k company itself and ask them to send you one. The original may have been lost in the mail, for example.
However, if your attempt to secure a Form 1099-R from the 401k plan is not successful, then you still do need to declare and report the income. The IRS-approved method of doing so is to create a "substitute" 1099-R, using what is known as Form 4852. This same document is used to create "substitute" W-2 wage statements as well; but for this answer we'll just focus on the 1099-R. Please note that Form 4852 is included as a component of any of the paid versions of TurboTax.
To get started with filling out Form 4852, for a missing Form 1099-R, please do the following.
- Log into your TurboTax online account
and begin your return, or open up your TurboTax desktop software and tax return.
- Locate the Find / Search box in the
upper portion of your screen, enter the exact search string "1099-R"
and then select the Jump To option that should appear underneath.
- Click that link and you will be taken to the
initial interview and data entry screen for 1099-R.
- Use the screen-capture images found below (simply click to open) as a guide on how to proceed, making sure that you check the box for substitute 1099-R, Form 4852
Then, simply follow the TurboTax interview where it takes you, using the best information that you have about the 401k plan and payments received. It doesn't have to be absolutely perfectly accurate in all respects; simply do the best you can to be honest and error-free. You may find your own banking records (deposits) to be especially helpful here.
Thank you for asking this important question.
