Total employee contributions box 9b on 1099r

[jidon01]

I took an early distribution from a 401K, the 1099-R form has 0.00 in boxes 9a and 9b.
Am I not allowed to deduct my contributions that were made prior to 2016?

[MichaelDC · Accepted solution]

As 401k contributions are pre-tax, deductions on the distributions are not deductible. Box 9a, percent of total distribution, is generally used when a 1099-R distribution is split between more than one person. This is unusual, and if it was empty on the form you received you can leave it blank in TurboTax. 

[nicholas521]

What about "Simplified Method line 3 value", that TT keeps wanting a value for. Read elsewhere it was in 9b, but 9b is blank. Can't file without this filled in.