in 2019 I took a $1200 early withdrawal from my Roth IRA to help my daughter pay for Vet school applications. Vanguard held $120 for taxes, which I entered on the 1099R info. The code for box 7 on the 1099R was J-Early distribution. This was the first and only time I have taken money from the Roth IRA. My question is in reference to where it ask me for prior years contributions. I have had this account for at least 10 years now. I entered my contributions to the Roth prior to 2019 like it asked, $12,760, and when I did the amount of my estimated refund went up $347 dollars. I am fine with the additional refund of course, but something tells me this may be incorrect?
Everything should be correct.
You can take a distribution from a Roth IRA without penalty or taxes as long as the distribution is from your original contributions to the account. When you entered the amount that you had contributed through the years (your basis), it could be determined that your distribution was less than your basis and therefore should not be taxed or penalized.
Had you taken an early distribution from a Traditional IRA, then the story would be different.