Why is my IRA distribution being reported on Line 5 and not on line 4 a and b.

Review your IRA 1099R input.  Make sure you checked the "IRA/Simple/SEP" box is checked below box 7.  This drives which line the distribution will be shown. 

 

You need to be at over 70 1/2 to take the Qualified Charitable Distribution deduction for your withdrawal.  If you are at least 70 1/2, TurboTax will ask whether a portion of your withdrawal was QCD under the Do any of these situations apply to you screen directly after you entered the 1099R information in TurboTax Online.  Please follow these steps to enter your 1099-R and QCD:

1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
2. Click on the Search box on the top and type “1099-R”
3. Click on “Jump to 1099-R” and enter your 1099-R
4. On the Do any of these situation apply to you, check the box "I transferred all or part of this money directly to charity".
5. Continue "How much did you transfer directly to charity" enter amount.
6. Continue answering the questions.

You can verify your entry by looking at your Form 1040 line 4 or 5:

 

1. Click on "Tax Tools" in the left menu
2. Click "Tools"
3. Click "View Tax Summary" in the Tool Center window
4. Click on "Preview my 1040" on the left

 If you are working in TurboTax Desktop:

• Enter the 1099R
• You need to go to forms mode in upper right hand corner of screen.
• Click on the 1099R entered
• Scroll down the 1099R screen until you see the QCD
• Enter the amount of your contributions..

 

 

The 1099-R forms I received for my 401(k) and 403(b) accounts both do NOT have the "IRA/Simple/SEP" box checked -- presumably because they are not "IRA" accounts. Nevertheless, should I check the "IRA/Simple/SEP" box in Turbotax, in order to get the distribution amounts to show on line 4a (which says "IRA distributions" on the 1040)? I.e., are 401(k) and 403(b) plans counted as "IRA" plans for the purposes of lines 4 and 5?

A 401(k) and 403(b) accounts are NOT an IRA.