Why do the ira distributions and pension amounts all end up on line 15b and not separate on 15a and b?

[Bsch4477 · Accepted solution]

The IRA will end up on 15a if you checked the IRA box in Box7 on your 1099-R for the IRA.

[dmertz]

Pension distributions should be included on line 16, not line 15.  Line 15 is for IRA distributions only.  If you are seeing pension distributions being included on line 15, it means that you inadvertently marked the IRA/SEP/SIMPLE box on TurboTax's 1099-R form for the pension distribution.

If the entire amount on line 15 is taxable, the IRS instructions say to report it all on line 15b and leave line 15a blank.

If the entire amount on line 16 is taxable, the IRS instructions say to report it all on line 16b and leave line 16a blank.