No value appears in 1040 line 4a

[dwright2020]

Within TT, I see the IRA RMD values on the wages and income page. I've completed  my return and had TT check for errors - all is OK. But when I print out my return to check it that way, lines 4a and 5a are blank. 4b and 5b have values which are correct.

Why no values in 4a and 5a?

[rjs · Accepted solution]

That's the way Form 1040 is supposed to be filled out, according to the IRS instructions. If the full amount of the distribution is taxable, it goes only on line 4b or 5b, not on line 4a or 5a.

[dwright2020]

Thanks for that info. I was comparing printed copies of this year's and last  year's return, and last year's had both 4a and 4b filled out

[rjs]

On last year's return, were the amounts on lines 4a and 4b the same? If so, it was filled out wrong. But if only part of the distribution was taxable, line 4a would have the full amount of the distribution and line 4b would have the amount that is taxable.