topic Re: 0 in box 2a in Retirement tax questions

If box 2a on my 1099R (pension) is blank. box 2b is X. Yes, 2a was used as taxable amount. Or No, a different amount was used. Do I use Yes, even though box 2a is empty?

zigger616 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 07:22:55 GMT

I was using the gross amount as taxable. As it says in 2b it is not determined. Is this correct?

Re: If box 2a on my 1099R (pension) is blank. box 2b is X. Yes, 2a was used as taxable amount. Or...

HelenC12 — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:22:59 GMT

No, don't use the gross distribution as the taxable amount. Enter your 1099-R exactly as you see it. If box 2a is blank, leave it blank. If box 2b is checked, check the box. On the subsequent interview questions, TurboTax will determine what portion of your distribution is taxable. It may very well be that the gross distribution amount is taxable but please follow the process of answering the questions.

Re: If box 2a on my 1099R (pension) is blank. box 2b is X. Yes, 2a was used as taxable amount. Or...

robbaway13 — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:33:28 GMT

Under describe the taxable amount it only gives yes amount in 2a was used(it’s blank). Or No, a different amount was taxable. So which do I choose. 2b is x’d. Thank you for your help. It’s a monthly pension check.

Re: If box 2a on my 1099R (pension) is blank. box 2b is X. Yes, 2a was used as taxable amount. Or...

JohnB5677 — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:50:04 GMT

Post your 1099-R exactly as it appears. If the box is blank, please leave it blank. You will have follow-up questions as you go through the interview. These questions will determine the taxability of your distribution.

Re: If box 2a on my 1099R (pension) is blank. box 2b is X. Yes, 2a was used as taxable amount. Or...

robbaway13 — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 19:20:51 GMT

This didn’t work.

Re: If box 2a on my 1099R (pension) is blank. box 2b is X. Yes, 2a was used as taxable amount. Or...

robbaway13 — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 19:26:03 GMT

I apologize. The 2a box has .00 typed in 2b has an X, total distribution is blank. It’s a police pension each month. Not sure how to figure what’s taxable.

Re: If box 2a on my 1099R (pension) is blank. box 2b is X. Yes, 2a was used as taxable amount. Or...

LeonardS — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 13:42:12 GMT

If you see a 0 (zero) in Box 2a of your 1099-R the entire distribution amount in Box 1 is nontaxable. It appears that the payer of your Form 1099-R entered .00 in place of 0 (zero). You may want to contact the payer to verify that Box 2a is 0 (zero)

@robbaway13

0 in box 2a

robbaway13 — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 16:28:19 GMT

Tried to contact city. I was told they can not answer any tax questions, period. To talk to an outside source. Not very helpful.

Re: 0 in box 2a

JohnW152 — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 16:49:45 GMT

Generally a city won’t administer its own retirement plan – a financial services company of some sort does it.

Ask the city who’s administering the plan, and contact them. They should be able to provide that information, at a minimum. You may even be able to find out online, on the city’s website.

And if it’s a police pension, it may be administered through the police department or their union. Someone has to know.

@robbaway13

Re: 0 in box 2a

robbaway13 — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 19:50:57 GMT

I will try that. Thank you so much for your help. It’s really appreciated.