1040 SR line 4a is blank but line 4b shows the correct amount from the 1099

[dghardesty]

Can you fix this or explain why it won't cause an issue for the IRS?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

That's right.  If 1040 line 4a is blank, See IRS 1040 Instructions page 25 first column near bottom

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf

It says.......

Except as provided next, leave line 4a blank and enter the total distribution (from Form 1099-R, box 1) on line 4b.

[dghardesty]

Answer correct and useful.

[dsaftler0]

I believe there is an issue in TurboTax 2021:

I had a distribution from an IRA in 2020.  There was a taxable amount of $12,300.

I imported the 2020 tax data when I started 2021.  That amount came over in 4b, even though 4a was blank.

I tried deleting the payer,  and the amount stayed.  I tried manually overwriting the 4b amount, the amount stayed.  That's how I found this answer.

The only way I could make that 12,300 go away was to start a new return and skip the import.

Could someone technical test this and see why?

[DawnC]

Did you spread the tax over 3 years on your 2020 tax return?   Look at last year's return to verify.   If you spread the tax last year, you should see one-third of the total distribution amount from your 2020 Form 1099-R on Line 4b in 2020, 2021, and next year's return (2022) too.    4a should be blank and 4b reports the taxable portion for the current year.   @dsaftler0