topic Do I put health benefits in box 15 of my 1099-R, as my employer does, even though in TurboTax box 15 is designated for local tax withholding? in Retirement tax questions

Do I put health benefits in box 15 of my 1099-R, as my employer does, even though in TurboTax box 15 is designated for local tax withholding?

molodets79 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 15:57:46 GMT

In the 1099-R provided by my former employer (US Department of State), Box 15 is used to list my "Health benefits." The model 1099-R provided by Turbotax reserves this space for local tax withheld (I have none). Do I enter my health benefits here anyway?

Do not enter the "health benefit" amount in Box 15 of the...

ToddL — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 15:57:48 GMT

Do not enter the "health benefit" amount in Box 15 of the TurboTax Form 1099-R interview.

I'm not sure why your former employer is using that box to report your "health benefit" (actually your insurance payments), but that is not the correct place to report this information.

If you are using a desktop version of TurboTax (CD or download), switch to Forms View, select your OPM 1099-R and enter the amount of "health benefits" on the "Insurance" line - see the attached screenshot example ($888).

If you are using an online version of TurboTax, enter the Box 15 amount as a deductible medical expense (insurance premium). Enter "medical expense" in the Search Box and select "jump to medical expense" option.

Do not enter the "health benefit" amount in Box 15 of the...

ToddL — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 15:57:49 GMT

Do not enter the "health benefit" amount in Box 15 of the TurboTax Form 1099-R interview.

I'm not sure why your former employer is using that box to report your "health benefit" (actually your insurance payments), but Box 15 is not the correct place to report this information.