Can I deduct repayment of a 401k loan I had to claim on my taxes in the past?

[s0tap0p]

I took out a loan against my 401k 4 years ago and had to report the amount as income and federal taxes were withheld, I have the 1099-R. Can I claim these payments, as they are being taken out after taxes?

[Carl]

If you received a 1099-R, then that's not for a loan of any type. It's for a withdrawal. So it's subject to being taxed. If it's an early withdrawal then it's also subject to the additional 10% early withdrawal penalty.

Typically, if you stopped paying the loan back, or if you lost your job that provided you the 401(k), then balance becomes due and payable immediately. (30-60 days after loss of employment). If not paid in that time, then the balance is treated as a withdrawal and a 1099-R is generated.

[Mike9241]

something got messed up 4 years ago.   if it was a loan it should not have been reported on form 1099-R and should not have been taxable.  what was the code in box 7?  this creates additional issues because you evidently made repayments. you need to talk to your human resource department and probably a tax pro to get things straightened out.

[GeorgeDenseff]

A 401K loan would only be reported as income if you defaulted on the loan.  Then it would be considered a distribution and a 1099-R would be issued.   It would then be a distribution and no payments wouls be made.

If you did not default on your loan, then it was mishandled.  If you defaulted on the loan, payments would not be tax exempt.  You do need to discuss this with the financial institution that handles your 401K.

[Hal_Al]

It's unlikely that you "repaid" a defaulted 401k loan, except as another "contribution".  

Reference: https://meetbeagle.com/resources/post/can-a-defaulted-401k-loan-be-reversed

Whatever happened, it's unlikely to be deductible or eligible for the "repayments credit" ("claim of right").