IRS Form 1099-R Instructions: What You Need To Know

form 1099-r instructions

Form 1099-R instructions is essential for both payers and recipients. The purpose of the 1099-R form is to report to the IRS and recipients of retirement account distributions. It provides crucial information for tax purposes and must be filed by taxpayers who distribute funds from specific retirement plans. 

In this article, we’ll discuss about form 1099-r instructions, including who needs to file it, how to file it, where to get it, and related forms. We’ll wrap up with the most frequently asked questions about the 1099-R form.

Are you ready to dive into the world of 1099-R?

Form 1099-R Overview?

Form 1099-R is an IRS tax document that indicates a person’s gross earnings, including retirement & profit-sharing plans, pensions, IRAs, annuities, and insurance contracts. 

IRS 1099-R is among the 1099 series forms, also known as information returns, purposely for reporting different persons’ income rather than the salary. These include government payments, interest, dividends, and others.

Form 1099-R Instructions

The retirement plan or account provider must furnish a copy of the form 1099-r instructions to the local tax department,the distribution recipient, IRS, the state, and the city. It must include the payer’s name, TIN, phone number, and address. In addition, the recipient’s TIN/SNN, name, address, and name.

The boxes represent as follows:

  • Box 1= Box 1 of Form 1099-R represents the amount of money you were paid in the given year before any deductions or taxes were withheld.
  • Box 2a = The value in Box 2a of Form 1099-R represents the amount of taxable income paid to the recipient during the year, calculated by subtracting the value in Box 5 from the value in Box 1.
  • Box 2b= Box 2b should not have entries for individuals who receive annuities. It will include an “x” if a total distribution (such as a retirement account withdrawal) was issued.
  • Box 4= The amount of federal tax withholding taken from your payments during the year is reported as the total in Box 4.
  • Box 5= In Box 5 of the 1099-R form, you will find the number of payments that are non-taxable for the year.
  • Box 7= distribution code identifying the type of benefit you received in the tax year, such as disability benefits.
  • Box 9b = the total amount of after-tax contributions you paid to your retirement system while working.
  • Box 10= Here you enter the amount allocable to an IRR, if applicable
  • Box 11=Key in the first year that the Roth IRA was established by this recipient.
  • Box 12= This box is for an FFI person reporting a cash value insurance contract or annuity contract that is a U.S. account, as required under section 6047(d). This reveals that there is a FATCA requirement.
  • Box 13= Here you enter the date death payment made if any.
  • Boxes 14-19= Here you report any local or state information.
form 1099-r instructions

IRS form 1099-r instructions has five different copies:

  • Copy A: Red copy that you submit to the IRS
  • Copy 1: This is a copy you submit to the State Tax Department
  • Copy B: A copy for the recipient
  • Copy 2: Filed by recipient indicating the recipients’ state income tax return
  • Copy C: A copy for the payers’ records

Who Files 1099-R IRS Form?

As per IRS, any entity distributing more than ten dollars must file form 1099-R. Such as:

  • Charitable gift annuities
  • Retirements plan
  • Pensions
  • Disability payments
  • Insurance contracts

In addition, if there’s a rollover transfer from one retirement account to another, it gets recorded on form 1099-R. In contrast, a direct rollover gets recorded in box 7 with distribution code H or G.

Where to Get the 1099-R Form?

You can get the 1099-R Form on IRS official website to download, view, or print. The recipients also receive the PDF by 31st January each following tax year. On form 1099-R, it is important to accurately report your taxable income and the corresponding amount of taxes owed on your tax return. 

Not all distributions from tax-deferred accounts, such as 401(k) to IRA, are applicable. It is wise to consult a tax professional for more information.

How to Access 1099-R Online?

Here are the procedures to access form 1099-R online.

  1. To log in to the retirement services OPM account, visit their website and enter your login credentials.
  2. Choose the 1099-R option from the menu and select the most recent tax form. 
  3. You can also view forms from previous years by selecting a year from the dropdown menu. 
  4. Finally, download or print the form by clicking the save or print icon.

Related Forms

There are other related 1099 forms for a different types of payment. These include

(i)Form 1099-INT

At the end of each year, financial institutions issue their investors a document called Form 1099-INT. This document breaks down all the types of interest income and related expenses incurred during the year. Any financial institution or interest payer must issue a 1099-INT to anyone who received at least $10 in interest payments during the year.

(ii)Form 1099-DIV

The 1099-DIV is for reporting income and filing taxes for investors who receive dividends and distributions from different investments during a calendar year. A bank or financial institute will send investors more than one form 1099-DIV. It’s the investor’s responsibility to report their income and file tax on each form accurately.

(iii)Form 1099-MISC

Individuals who work as self-employed, sole proprietors, independent contractors, or freelancers are given Form 1099-MISC by their clients if they were paid $600 or more within a calendar year to prevent tax evasion. The form is also used to report other forms of miscellaneous compensation, such as rent, awards, prizes, healthcare payments, and payments made to attorneys.

(iv)Form 1099-K

Form 1099-K provides information on the total amount of reportable payment transactions. If a taxpayer receives payments related to reportable payment transactions, they will be sent a Form 1099-K by a payment settlement entity. 

Reportable payment transactions include payments made through third-party networks like Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal. They also have payment card transactions such as prepaid, debit, or credit card transactions.

In other words, any transaction processed through a third-party payment network or a payment card is considered reportable.

(v)Form 1099-B

Brokerages and barter exchanges use Form 1099-B to keep track of their customers’ gains and losses over a tax year. The brokers or barter exchanges will send this form, which is already filled out, to individual taxpayers.

(vi)Form 1099-G

When taxpayers receive unemployment compensation payments, state or local income tax refunds, or certain other payments from a government or government agency, they can expect to receive Form 1099-G. This form provides important information that may need to be reported when filing an income tax return.

Multiple Scenarios That Result in Receiving More Than One 1099-R

  • If you retired from more than one retirement system
  • If you reached the age of 59½ during the tax year
  • If you are receiving your retirement benefit and a survivor, benefit from someone else
  • If you are receiving your retirement benefit and payment resulting from a divorce
  • If you received a retirement benefit and a refund of contributions within the same tax year

1099-R Form Frequently Asked Questions

When a taxpayer receives Form 1099-R with no amount?

If a taxpayer receives a Form 1099-R with no amount and sees a zero in Box 2a, the entire distribution amount in Box 1 is nontaxable.

How do I get a copy of my 1099-R form from Illinois?

You can obtain a duplicate copy of your 1099-R form in Illinois by logging into Member Account Access, selecting “Forms & Reports” from the navigation bar, and choosing the 1099-R form relevant to your retirement claim. Once you have submitted your request, the Illinois Comptroller’s Office will process it and send the duplicate form to your home address within 7-10 business days.

Can I get my form 1099-r mailed early?

No. All 1099-R Forms will be sent out by January 31, you can still access your 1099-R information online via your account to view and print the form at your convenience. 

Here’s how to get 1099-R details online:

  1. Click “My Account Login” in the upper right corner.
  2. Click “Proceed to Login” or select “Register now” if you do not have an account. 
  3. Click “1099-R Summary” under My Payroll Information.

You can get a 1099-R for the ended tax year using the above procedures. In addition, form for 3 years before the tax year that ended.

What happens if I don’t enter my 1099-R?

If you fail to report your 1099-R income to the IRS, they will likely notify you once they suspect you owe additional tax. It results in retroactive penalties and interest charges that start from the day they believe you should have paid the tax.

What is the penalty for 1099-R?

The penalty for a 1099-R is 10%. The form should provide details on the amount withdrawn and tax withheld, if any. Through e-filling, you can report the details on Form 1040. 

How Do I Get a Copy of My 1099-R Form?

If you need a copy of your 1099-R form, you can contact the entity that handles your retirement account or plan. According to IRS regulations, plan administrators are required to send out completed forms by January 31 of the subsequent year for distributions over $10. If you happen to lose or fail to receive your form, you can ask the plan manager for a replacement.

How Do I Report Form 1099-R on Form 1041?

When reporting income from a retirement distribution or death benefit from Form 1099-R on Form 1041, Line 8: Other Income should be used. The 1041 form is utilized for estate or trust income tax reporting, and a copy of the relevant 1099-R form must be attached.

What Are the Distribution Codes for Form 1099-R?

Form 1099-R distribution codes indicate the distribution’s nature and the account type. They also show particular circumstances for the recipient, such as disability or death. For example, Roth account distributions are recorded as code B. In contrast, early distributions from a Roth IRA are registered under code J. You’ll find the complete list of codes in Table 1 of the form 1099-R instructions.

The Bottom Line

Form 1099-R is a crucial tax document used to report retirement plans and account distributions and is essential for accurately reporting taxable income on tax returns.

You can get your 1099-R from the company or institution that manages your retirement plan or account. You might receive multiple 1099-R forms if you have more than one retirement account or receive a retirement benefit and a refund of contributions within the same tax year. 

Remember to review your 1099-R forms carefully and take action to obtain any missing or incorrect forms to avoid issues with the IRS.

Author

  • Scolastica Mundia

    Scolastica is both an author and a profound entrepreneur. Through her writing, she strive to make financial literacy accessible to all. Whether it's budgeting, investing, or planning for the future, she provide insights, strategies, and motivation to help you succeed.

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