Form 1099-R, Capital gain states 0 but what does included in box 2a mean?

[dmertz · Accepted solution]

Box 3 is used to report the portion of the amount shown in box 2a that is reportable as capital gains.  With a zero in box 3, it indicates that the entire taxable amount in box 2a is taxable as ordinary income.

[bayunit]

so Do you put the amount that is in box 2a in box 3?

[dmertz]

No.  Enter box 3 as shown on the Form 1099-R provided by the payer.

[neweel]

My 1099-R does not have a Box 3 at all, so I am going to leave the "Capital Gain" field blank.

[macuser_22]

@neweel  - Correct - not all forms have all boxes.  Any box not on your form or blank box must be left blank.