Survivor Annuity Form CSF 1099R - Won't let me type in "UNKNOWN" in box 2A like I've always done before

[iamartin]

My 94 year old mom has an OPM Form CSF 1099R (I noticed it was revised 1/2022).  I filled in Box 1 with the Gross Distribution.  On her form, Box 2a (Taxable amount) says "Unknown".  I typed in the Gross distribution in Box 1 and when I click to the next box it puts that same amount as Gross Distribution. Her form says "UNKNOWN".  When I try to type that TurboTax has a pop-up window that says "Put a number".  Also, Federal Income Tax Withheld says "NONE" as well as Total Employee Contributions says "UNKNOWN" .  TT doesn't let me type words in any boxes. The other interesting thing is TT asks info Box 7b but my mom's has no 7b.  It just has 7.  Distribution Code.  How do I get around all of this?  Also, I manually entered this.

[iamartin]

Being around a computer tech spouse for 43 years, I'm wondering if the Turbotax people just didn't remember to make the entry an alphanumeric entry and instead just made it a numeric entry.  I saw I'm not the only one who's asking.  It has been a rough last couple of years.  Just saying.....

[ColeenD3 · Accepted solution]

No, you can't type words into the program for 1099-R.  You can't do this on any program. All programs need amounts for calculation. You can't do the math on the word "unknown". This is for your information. 

The fact that both boxes 2a and total contributions are both unknown quantities by the issuer means that this is all taxable. Leave these boxes blank.

[iamartin]

@ColeenD3 That totally makes sense!!  I will do as you say.  I think you've helped me in the past. I GREATLY appreciate it!!  Hope your day is great!!  THANKS AGAIN!!  I can move on feeling good about it.

[iamartin]

@ColeenD3 I tried leaving 2a blank like you recommended but once I type in the amount in 1-Gross Distribution it populates 2a Taxable amount with the same dollar figure.  It won't let me delete it.  There is a box "Taxable amount not determined" that I see in the "Forms" section and I put an X but it leaves the Taxable amount there.  I don't know what to do.  

[ColeenD3]

Yes, it is taxable. Without having employee contributions, the whole thing is taxable.

[iamartin]

@ColeenD3 Thanks for answering!  At least that's comforting.  I also noticed that "maybe" because I checked "Taxable amount not determined" in the Forms section, the "Federal Amount" owed at the top didn't shoot through the roof (that's what happened when I tried it yesterday).  What do you think about that???  I know my 94 year old mom would've have a "cow"!!!  Right now it's still showing a "Federal Refund".  It didn't change.  Thanks for being a great support!!  It's nice to know y'all have our "back"!!!  I hope your comments can help someone else.  It's a wealth of info here because of people like you!!! THANK YOU!!

[LaFor]

Here is the problem, and the answer I found, posting to help others who may have this form, and issue.   It will be necessary go to "forms in my return" and select the 1099 form; open it,  and you can see a box at the top of the form where you can check that is is a "CSF " form 1099; once that is checked, the form will immediately fill in 2a with the same amount shown in box 1!  (in other words, the entire amnt becomes is taxable .)  if you don't do that, it will be reflected as non-taxable.  why this is not part of the program, and no info easily found, is not good!  I hope this helps others.  Turbo Tax - this is not a new form, guys, how did you miss this??

[Linda21001]

My 1099-R has (for the FIRST time) UNKOWN in the "total employee contributions" box.  I looked at the last two 1099-R's to confirm the number from 2022 and 2021 were the same and I entered that for this year's tax return.

[DianeW777]

That's reasonable because you will continue to track the amount of your after-tax contributions that are used each year.  

1. Check the prior returns for the amount of tax free amounts and then you should still use the original cost basis until it is completely used up. 
2. This could take several years because the IRS no longer allows recovery of after-tax dollars over a short period.
3. Track your deductible amount so that you know when you have used up your after-tax contributions.

• FAQ About Employee Contributions Unknown

@Linda21001