Received a 1099-R from a class action lawsuit (Troudt vs Oracle) for princely sum of $18, how to treat it?

[anirban_417]

I received this settlement fund ($18) and a 1099-R form. When I try to enter this form - turbotax is getting into a penalty calculation dialogue.

This is from an employer that I worked for ages back, and I dont want to incur a penalty. How to treat this 1099-R?

[macuser_22]

What code is in box 7?   Are you under age 59 1/2?

[macuser_22]

And if this if from a prior 401(k) plan the instructions that came with the 1099-R "should" have told you that you had the option to roll that amount into a Traditional withing 60 days of the receipt of the check that would not be taxable.     A 401(k) distribution whether the result of a legal action or not is fully taxable.

[anirban_417]

What code is in box 7? 

> code: 1
  Are you under age 59 1/2?

> yes, under 59 1/2

whats the best way to treat this so as not to incur this penalty.

[ToddL99]

This is a case where avoiding the penalty ($1.80) is going to be much harder and take much longer than it is worth (if even possible).

Even though you had no choice in how the matter was handled, it was an early distribution and subject to the penalty.

[macuser_22]

The 1099-R and tax is probably correct.   If you wanted to roll it into an IRA and were not given that option then you "might" have  grounds for legal action  that would probably cost you $15,000 on up in legal fees to save a few cents of tax.     Forget it.