Turbo Tax is asking me to “enter prior year Roth IRA Contributions”. Can this number be negative if I have taken out more than I have contributed, or should it be $0?

[S208]

Turbo Tax is asking me to “enter prior year Roth IRA Contributions”. Then explains to confirm my net regular contributions made and distributions taken prior to 2024. Can this number be negative if I have taken out more than I have contributed, or should it be $0? As an example, let’s say I contributed $5,000 in 2020 and $5,000 in 2021; for a total of $10,000. Then in 2022 I take out $12,000 as a distribution (non-qualified)… would this number be $0 or -$2,000?

[Bsch4477]

Enter only what you contributed. 

[fanfare]

once you taken all contributions, that leaves -0-.

TurboTax and you should be tracking remaining amount, not total over all time.

@S208 

[S208]

Replying to @Bsch4477 

I don't think that is correct because even in their example they deduct distributions (see attached)...

[ThomasM125 · Accepted solution]

You subtract distributions from the amount contributed to arrive at the net amount contributed, but not to the extent you reduce the amount you contributed below $0. In your case, you withdrew more than you contributed, so your net contributions would be $0.