Confusion regarding one-time death benefit

[luckylavs]

My mother passed away in late 2020 and in mid-2021 I received a one-time death benefit from her pension, CalSTRS.  CalSTRS actually mailed me two separate checks, one for $9127.04 and another for  $3135.37.  I did not roll these over into anything.  I don't know what "type" of death benefit this is... only that this is not life insurance.  Her pension apparently provided this benefit to cover or offset costs for her funeral/memorial, casket, mortuary services etc. Here are my questions:

1.  Where do I report these amounts in TurboTax?  I didn't see a category for reporting one-time death benefits. I did not receive any tax forms from CalSTRS (e.g., like a 1099-R) and the language of the CalSTRS letter makes it sound like they aren't going to send me one...   

2.   How do you expect this will affect my tax liability?  I spent all of this benefit money on my mother's casket and funeral expenses.  I don't think I can get a deduction for that -- so is all of this benefit money going to basically bump up my ordinary income and potentially send me into the next tax bracket? 

I'm going to include a link to the scanned copies of the actual letters of what CalSTRS send me.  I've redacted out my personal information.  You can see that CalSTRS breaks down the payment into all these subcategories.  I don't understand what numbers I need to report... it is making my head spin....  and where I can report it on turbotax.  Any help would be appreciated!  Thanks in advance.

https://www.thepatentshoppe.com/uploads/5/5/4/1/55417701/one_time_death_benefit_redacted.pdf 

[JulieS · Accepted solution]

This is a lump sum distribution and you will get a Form 1099-R from CalStrs. They have until January 31 to mail it, so you should get it soon.

You can use the search box toward the upper right to search for 1099-R, click the Jump to link and then answer the questions to enter this in your tax return. 

According to the letter, part of the distribution is not taxable and part of it is taxable. Both federal and state tax were withheld form the taxable portion. 

You can't deduct any funeral expenses. Hopefully the taxes that are withheld will cover your additional tax on this distribution. 

I am sorry for your loss. If you need additional help when you get your form, feel free to reach out again. 

[Mike9241]

did you read at the very top of the notice that you need this info for federal and state income tax purposes? the gross amounts are taxable to you.  you should actually be getting 1099-R because the distributions are taxable and there was federal and state withholding which you need to claim 

the part I can't answer is about the $6486.