1099-R box 1a error

[dboosh656]

I have a 1099-R from my investment firm that has a value of $0.00 in Box 1a, Box 2b has Total Distribution checked, and there is a value in Box 5 that is greater than 0.  The form was imported from the institution, and the entry matches the form I reviewed on their site.  But the Box 1a value is being flagged as an error and preventing me from e-filing.  How can I get past this without creating a mismatch with the form submitted to the IRS?

[dmertz]

There is no box 1a on a Form 1099-R.  Do you mean box 1?

What is the code in box 7 of the Form 1099-R?

Do you have another Form 1099-R from the same account?  If so, what is the code in box 7 of that form?

It's possible that the Form 1099-R that you are asking about represents a distribution of nonrecoverable basis in an employer plan because there was a total distribution from the plan that was less than your after-tax basis due to investment losses in the plan.  If this is the case and you rolled the total distribution over to a traditional IRA, you might be able to treat this as part of an adjustment to your basis in nondeductible traditional IRA contributions.