Why is the amount on Federal 1040 line 4b $3,000 less than the total of taxable from 1099R's? I've triple checked the numbers entered.

[KrisD]

Are you including Social Security?

[MinhT · Accepted solution]

There is a $3,000 exclusion of pension income for Public safety officers. 

Are you a Public safety officer? If yes, then this is correct. If not, then you may have entered that you are a public safety officer and must correct the entry.

[TerryA]

The IRS has some complicated rules about Form 1040 Lines 4a & 4b and when to enter amounts in 4a and when not to.

See the Form 1040 instructions about that starting on page 28:

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf