One of my 1099-R amounts is not being added to line 4a of the Federal Form 1040. Line 4b is correct.

[prtaylor56]

@goodog2

I can't guess how the TT programmers' minds work, and can't believe the convoluted arguments put forth by some of the "experts" in this forum, trying to explain why it's just fine for the gross amount to be less than the taxable amount.  I know I wouldn't want them performing brain surgery or piloting a passenger plane.

I also know I'll be using a different product next year.  I've already started looking at the alternatives (H&R Block, TaxSlayer, etc.)  

[goodog2]

On line 4a problem:  It is not satisfactory for Turbotax to not fix this.  Here is what I did to overcome the appearance.  This happens on IRA so I un-checked the IRA tick box & all numbers display correctly.  Caveat:  No supporting documents were required and I file by paper, not e-file.  Return shows correctly just as if TTax fixed it.  This not a recomendation, just info.

gooddog2

[macuser_22]

@goodog2 - Note:  Not checking the IRA/SEP/SIMPLE box on an IRA can lead to other serious problems.   The 1099-R interview questions at pertain only to an IRA will not be asked and the resulting taxable amount may be in error.  If a 8606 for for the IRA is required it will not be present for a non-IRA.   Not checking that box for a taxpayer that has a large IRA basis can lead to a large taxable error - sometimes thousands of dollars.

The 1040 line 4a is not used in any  calculations, only line 4b is.

[prtaylor56]

@macuser_22

I told you this would not go away.  I hope you are looking forward to two more months of this, including people like gooddog2 potentially making the situation worse by trying to compensate for what any child can see is a mistake by TurboTax.

[macuser_22]

@prtaylor56 -

I have nothing to do with it.   I am just another user like you.   TurboTax does what they want to do - all I can do is help other users avoid possible costly errors.

You have as much influence as I do if you contact Customer support and complain.     If they get enough calls and complaints they might do something, but as long as the belly-aching is just between users, they will do nothing.

[prtaylor56]

@macuser_22

I reported this to TurboTax about two weeks ago, and I even told them exactly where the link and label problems were in the worksheets.  I've also documented those details in other community postings and encouraged others to report it (see section in quotes below}.  I keep ragging you and VolvoGirl because instead of joining the complaint parade, you keep telling people it's really OK.  As you may have noticed, that isn't going to work, so why don't you complain to TurboTax and advise others to do so, instead of attempting to explain it away?  I already have called them.  Here is a copy of what I posted a week ago, and it precedes what you just said about the futility of complaining to other users:

"Complaining to other users accomplishes nothing.  I have been doing it for at least a week. They either just agree that it's a problem, or claim that it's OK, nothing to worry about, and even actually compliant if you carefully interpret the IRS instructions, etc.

I have also reported the TurboTax worksheet errors that are actually causing this, and suggest you and others do so as well since that should be harder for them to ignore. That means waiting on the phone for maybe an hour or more to talk to someone who doesn't seem to understand, but says they will ask for it to be checked out anyway.  

In any case, I guess that's our best shot, so here is the explanation of the worksheet errors behind this error on Line 4a:

Look at TurboTax sheet "1040 Wks" Line 4, the sub-line labelled "Pensions and Annuities".  Right-click on the box there and see that it's data source is Line 25 of the TurboTax worksheet "1099-R Summary".  Go to that worksheet and see that Line 25 is labelled "Gross distribution transferred to Form 1040, Line 16a".  Obviously that label should be changed from "16a" to "4a", and that is a mistake on a TurboTax worksheet, not an IRS Form. Also note a similar labeling mistake on Line 32d of sheet "1099-R Summary".

But the bigger problem is that when there is an amount on Line 25 of the 1099-R Summary worksheet, the 1040 Wks Line 4 that is supposed to take its entry from there remains blank.  Fixing that will also fix this Line 4a problem."

[macuser_22]

That worksheet appears to be a remnant left over from 2017 that refers to the old line 16 and is no longer used for anything - they just did not bother to remove old entries that not longer apply when designing the new forms.

[prtaylor56]

@macuser_22

I can't help but admire your talent and ingenuity for explaining away all the TurboTax errors.  If only you could contact them and apply that energy to getting fixes.

[CraycraftP]

I have a similar problem, but my 1099-r income isn't showing up on any of the pensions/ira/annuity lines.  It's being added into line 1 with the wages

[CraycraftP]

I only have 1 pension distribution and TT is not showing that 1099-r income on any line (4a, b, c, or d).  It's only being added to my wages.

[DoninGA]

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@CraycraftP wrote:

I only have 1 pension distribution and TT is not showing that 1099-r income on any line (4a, b, c, or d).  It's only being added to my wages.

---

You either entered the Form 1099-R in the section for a W-2 or your 1099-R had a code of 3 in box 7 for Disability and you are under your employers minimum retirement age so the taxable amount shown on the 1099-R will be entered on the Form 1040 Line 1 as Wages.

If you entered the 1099-R as a W-2, then delete the W-2 you entered.

To enter, edit or delete a form 1099-R -

• Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
• Click on Wages and Income (Personal Income using Home and Business)
• Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
• Scroll down to Retirement Plans and Social Security
• On IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R), click the start or update button

Or enter 1099-r in the Search box located in the upper right of the program screen. Click on Jump to 1099-R

[rb77]

I also had to do a 1040X last year.  I am having the same problem with TT this year.  TT won't put the amount from my 1099-R for a RMD from an inherited IRA into 1040 line 4a for 2019. It is left blank.  I don't want to have to do another 1040X!  Did you ever get a solution?

[fanfare]

There's nothing wrong with 4a being blank, if the entire amount is taxable.

4a non-zero, but 4b blank, that's a problem if the amount is taxable.

[Marfels]

I agree.  I can't get past the review because Turbo Tax says that my taxable amount is greater than my gross.

[Critter-3]

Your problem is NOT the same as what is in this thread.   Go back to the 1099-R entry screen ... you made an entry error since box 2a cannot be more than box 1.