Excess Annual Additions Under Section 415

You must report on Form 1099-R distributions made under Regulations section 1.415-6(b)(6)(iv) of elective deferrals or a return of employee contributions (and gains attributable to such elective deferrals or employee contributions) to reduce excess annual additions arising from the allocation of forfeitures, a reasonable error in estimating a participant's compensation, or a reasonable error in determining the amount of elective deferrals that may be made for an individual under the limits of section 415.

Such distributions are not eligible rollover distributions although they are subject to income tax withholding under section 3405. They are not subject to social security, Medicare, or Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes. In addition, such distributions are not subject to the 10% early distribution tax under section 72(t).

You may report the distribution of elective deferrals and employee contributions (and gains attributable to such elective deferrals and employee contributions) on the same Form 1099-R. However, if you made other distributions during the year, report them on a separate Form 1099-R. Because the distribution of elective deferrals is fully taxable (no part of the distribution is a return of the investment in the contract), report the total amount of the distribution in boxes 1 and 2a. Leave box 5 blank, and enter Code E in box 7. For a return of employee contributions plus gains, enter the gross distribution in box 1, the gains attributable to the employee contributions being returned in box 2a, and the employee contributions being returned in box 5. Enter Code E in box 7. For more information, see Rev. Proc. 92-93, 1992-2 C.B. 505.

Certain Excess Amounts Under 403(b) Plans

A corrective distribution under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System to the participant of contributions to a 403(b) plan (plus gains attributable to such contributions) that were in excess of the limits under section 415 or section 403(b)(2) (the exclusion allowance limit) is treated the same as corrective distributions of elective deferrals to satisfy the limits under section 415. It is taxable to the participant in the year of distribution. See Excess Annual Additions Under Section 415 above.

Failing the ADP or ACP Test After a Total Distribution

If you make a total distribution in 2003 and file a Form 1099-R with the IRS and then discover in 2004 that the plan failed either the section 401(k)(3) actual deferral percentage (ADP) test for 2003 and you compute excess contributions or the section 401(m)(2) actual contribution percentage (ACP) test and you compute excess aggregate contributions, you must recharacterize part of the total distribution as excess contributions or excess aggregate contributions. First, file a CORRECTED Form 1099-R for 2003 for the correct amount of the total distribution (not including the amount recharacterized as excess contributions or excess aggregate contributions). Second, file a new Form 1099-R for 2003 for the excess contributions or excess aggregate contributions and allocable earnings.

To avoid a late filing penalty if the new Form 1099-R is filed after the due date, enter in the bottom margin of Form 1096, Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns, the words Filed To Correct Excess Contributions.

You must also issue copies of the Forms 1099-R to the plan participant with an explanation of why these new forms are being issued.

Loans Treated as Distributions

A loan from a qualified plan under sections 401 and 403(a) and (b), and a plan maintained by the United States, a state or political subdivision, or any of its subsidiary agencies made to a participant or beneficiary is not treated as a distribution from the plan if the loan satisfies the following requirements:

1. The loan is evidenced by an enforceable agreement,
2. The agreement specifies that the loan must be repaid within 5 years, except for a principal residence,
3. The loan must be repaid in substantially level installments (at least quarterly), and
4. The loan amount does not exceed the limits in section 72(p)(2)(A) (maximum limit is equal to the lesser of 50% of the vested account balance or $50,000).

Certain exceptions, cure periods, and suspension of the repayment schedule may apply.

The loan agreement must specify the amount of the loan, the term of the loan, and the repayment schedule. The agreement may include more than one document.

If a loan fails to satisfy 1, 2, or 3, the balance of the loan is a deemed distribution. The distribution may occur at the time the loan is made or later if the loan is not repaid in accordance with the repayment schedule.

If a loan fails to satisfy 4 at the time the loan is made, the amount that exceeds the amount permitted to be loaned is a deemed distribution.

If a loan is treated as a deemed distribution, it is reportable on Form 1099-R using the normal taxation rules of section 72, including tax basis rules. The distribution also may be subject to the 10% early distribution tax under section 72(t). It is not eligible to be rolled over to an eligible retirement plan nor is it eligible for the 10-year tax option. On Form 1099-R, complete the appropriate boxes, including boxes 1 and 2a, and enter Code L in box 7. Enter another code, such as Code 1 or 2, in box 7, if applicable.

Interest that accrues after the deemed distribution of a loan is not an additional loan, and, therefore, is not reportable on Form 1099-R.

If a participant's accrued benefit is reduced (offset) to repay a loan, the amount of the account balance that is offset against the loan is an actual distribution. Report it as you would any other actual distribution. Do not enter Code L in box 7.

Loans that are treated as deemed distributions or that are actual distributions are subject to Federal income tax withholding. If a distribution occurs after the loan is made, you must withhold only if you distributed cash or property (other than employer securities) at the time of the deemed or actual distribution. See section 72(p), 72(e)(4)(A), and Regulations section 1.72(p)-1.

Subsequent distributions.   If a participant makes any cash repayments on a loan that was reported on Form 1099-R as a deemed distribution, the repayments increase the participant's tax basis in the plan as if the repayments were after-tax contributions. However, such repayments are not treated as after-tax contributions for purposes of section 401(m) or 415(c)(2)(B).

For a deemed distribution that was reported on Form 1099-R but was not repaid, the deemed distribution does not increase the participant's basis.

Missing Participants

The IRS administers a letter-forwarding program that could help plan administrators contact missing retirement plan participants (or possibly their beneficiaries). To inform individuals of their rights to benefits under a retirement plan, the IRS will forward letters from plan administrators to the missing individuals if the administrators provide the names and social security numbers (SSNs) of the missing individuals. However, the IRS cannot disclose individuals' addresses or give confirmation of letter delivery. All undelivered letters will be destroyed. For further information, see Rev. Proc. 94-22, 1994-1 C.B. 608, or contact your IRS office.

Corrected Form 1099-R

If you filed a Form 1099-R with the IRS and later discover that there is an error on it, you must correct it as soon as possible. For example, if you transmit a direct rollover and file a Form 1099-R with the IRS reporting that none of the direct rollover is taxable by entering 0 (zero) in box 2a, and you then discover that part of the direct rollover consists of required minimum distributions under section 401(a)(9), you must file a corrected Form 1099-R. See part I in the General Instructions for Forms 1099, 1098, 5498, and W-2G.

Filer.   The payer, trustee, or plan administrator must file Form 1099-R using the same name and employer identification number (EIN) used to deposit any tax withheld and to file Form 945, Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax.

Beneficiaries.   If you make a distribution to a beneficiary or estate, prepare Form 1099-R using the name and TIN of the beneficiary or estate, not those of the decedent. If there are multiple beneficiaries, report on each Form 1099-R only the amount paid to the beneficiary whose name appears on the Form 1099-R, and enter the percentage in box 9a, if applicable.

Alternate payee under QDRO.   Distributions to an alternate payee who is a spouse or former spouse of the employee under a QDRO are reportable on Form 1099-R using the name and TIN of the alternate payee. However, see Transfer of IRA to spouse on page R-3.

Nonresident aliens.   If income tax is withheld under section 3405 on a distribution to a nonresident alien, report the distribution and withholding on Form 1099-R. Also file Form 945 to report the withholding. However, any payments to a nonresident alien from any trust under section 401(a), any annuity plan under 403(a), or any annuity, custodial account, or retirement income account under 403(b) are subject to withholding under section 1441. Report the distribution and withholding on Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons, and Form 1042-S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding.

Statements to recipients.   If you are required to file Form 1099-R, you must furnish a statement to the recipient. For more information about the requirement to furnish a statement to each recipient, see part H in the General Instructions for Forms 1099, 1098, 5498, and W-2G.

Do not enter a negative amount in any box on Form 1099-R.

Box 1. Gross Distribution

Enter the total amount of the distribution before income tax or other deductions were withheld. Include direct rollovers, premiums paid by a trustee or custodian for current life or other insurance protection (PS 58 costs), and the gross amount of any IRA distribution, including a recharacterization and a Roth IRA conversion. Also include in this box distributions to plan participants from governmental section 457(b) plans. However, in the case of a distribution by a trust representing CDs redeemed early, report the net amount distributed. Also, see Box 6 on page R-8.

For reporting related social security and Medicare taxes on a governmental section 457(b) plan distribution, see the 2002 Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3.

Include in this box the value of U.S. Savings Bonds distributed from a plan. Enter the appropriate taxable amount in box 2a. Furnish a statement to the plan participant showing the value of each bond at the time of distribution. This will provide him or her with the information necessary to figure the interest income on each bond when it is redeemed.

In addition to reporting distributions to beneficiaries of deceased employees, report here any death benefit payments made by employers that are not made as part of a pension, profit-sharing, or retirement plan. Also enter these amounts in box 2a; enter Code 4 in box 7.

Do not report accelerated death benefits on Form 1099-R. Report them on Form 1099-LTC, Long-Term Care and Accelerated Death Benefits.

For section 1035 exchanges that are reportable on Form 1099-R, enter the total value of the contract in box 1, 0 (zero) in box 2a, the total premiums paid in box 5, and Code 6 in box 7.

Employer securities and other property.   If you distribute employer securities or other property, include in box 1 the FMV of the securities or other property on the date of distribution. If there is a loss, see Losses on page R-6.

If you are distributing worthless property only, you are not required to file Form 1099-R. However, you may file and enter 0 (zero) in boxes 1 and 2a and any after-tax employee contributions in box 5.

Charitable gift annuities.    If cash or capital gain property is donated in exchange for a charitable gift annuity, report distributions as follows. Enter in:

• Box 1 the total amount distributed during the year,
• Box 2a the taxable amount,
• Box 3 any amount taxable as capital gain,
• Box 5 any nontaxable amount, and
• Box 7 the Code F.

See the specific line instructions for more information.

Box 2a. Taxable Amount

Generally, you must enter the taxable amount in box 2a. However, if you are unable to reasonably obtain the data needed to compute the taxable amount, leave this box blank. Do not enter excludable or tax-deferred amounts reportable in boxes 5, 6, and 8.

For a direct rollover from a qualified plan or tax-sheltered annuity, for a distribution from a conduit IRA that is payable to the trustee of or is transferred to an employer plan, for an IRA recharacterization, or for a nontaxable section 1035 exchange of life insurance, annuity, or endowment contracts, enter 0 (zero) in box 2a.

PS 58 costs.   Include PS 58 costs that were reported in box 1. However, do not report PS 58 costs and a distribution on the same Form 1099-R. Use a separate Form 1099-R for each. Enter Code 9 in box 7 for PS 58 costs. See Regulations section 1.72-16(b) and Rev. Rules. 55-747, 1955-2 C.B. 228, and 66-110, 1966-1 C.B. 12, for information on the cost of premiums paid by an employees' trust under a qualified plan for current life insurance protection taxable to plan participants or their beneficiaries.

DECs.   Include DEC distributions in this box. Also see Deductible Voluntary Employee Contributions (DECs) on page R-2.

Annuity starting date in 1998 or later.   If you made annuity payments from a qualified plan (under section 401(a), 403(a), or 403(b)) and the annuity starting date is in 1998 or later, you must use the simplified method (under section 72(d)) to figure the taxable amount. Under this method, the expected number of payments you use to figure the taxable amount depends on whether the payments are based on the life of one or more than one person. See Notice 98-2, 1998-1 C.B. 266, and Pub. 575, Pension and Annuity Income, to help you figure the taxable amount to enter in box 2a.

Annuity starting date after November 18, 1996, and before 1998.   Under the simplified method for figuring the taxable amount, the expected number of payments is based only on the primary annuitant's age on the annuity starting date. See Notice 98-2.

Annuity starting date before November 19, 1996.   If you properly used the rules in effect before November 19, 1996, for annuities that started before that date, continue to report using those rules. No changes are necessary.

IRA or SEP.   Generally, you are not required to compute the taxable amount of a traditional IRA or SEP nor designate whether any part of a distribution is a return of basis attributable to nondeductible contributions. Therefore, report the total amount distributed from a traditional IRA or SEP in box 2a. This will be the same amount reported in box 1. Check the Taxable amount not determined box in box 2b.

However, for a distribution by a trust representing CDs redeemed early, report the net amount distributed. Do not include any amount paid for IRA insurance protection in this box.

For a distribution of contributions plus earnings from an IRA under section 408(d)(4), report the gross distribution in box 1, only the earnings in box 2a, and enter Code 8 or P, whichever is applicable, in box 7. Enter Code 1, 2, 4, or 7, if applicable.

For a distribution of contributions without earnings after the due date of the individual's return, under section 408(d)(5), enter 0 (zero). Use Code 1 or 7 in box 7 depending on the age of the participant.

SIMPLE.   Enter the total amount distributed from a SIMPLE IRA in box 2a.

Roth IRA or Coverdell ESA.   For a distribution from a Roth IRA or Coverdell ESA, report the total distribution in box 1 and leave box 2a blank except in the case of an IRA revocation (see page R-2) and a recharacterization (see page R-3). Use Code J, M, or T as appropriate in box 7. Use Code 5, 8, or P, if applicable, in box 7 with Code J or T and Code 3, 4, 8, or P with Code M.

However, for the distribution of excess Roth IRA or Coverdell ESA contributions, report the gross distribution in box 1 and only the earnings in box 2a. Enter Code J, M, or T and 8 or P in box 7.

Roth IRA conversion.   Report the total amount converted or reconverted from a traditional IRA, SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA to a Roth IRA in boxes 1 and 2a. A conversion or reconversion is considered a distribution and must be reported even if it is with the same trustee and even if the conversion is done by a trustee-to-trustee transfer. For a Roth IRA conversion, use Code 2 in box 7 if the participant is under age 59½ or Code 7 if the participant is at least age 59½. Also, check the IRA/SEP/SIMPLE box in box 7.

Losses.   If a distribution is a loss, do not enter a negative amount in this box. For example, if stock is distributed but the value is less than the employee's after-tax contributions, enter the value of the stock in box 1, leave box 2a blank, and enter the employee's contributions in box 5.

For a plan with no after-tax contributions, even though the value of the account may have decreased, there is no loss for reporting purposes. Therefore, if there are no employer securities distributed, show the actual cash and/or FMV of property distributed in boxes 1 and 2a, and make no entry in box 5. If only employer securities are distributed, show the FMV of the securities in boxes 1 and 2a and make no entry in box 5 or 6. If both employer securities and cash or other property are distributed, show the actual cash and/or FMV of the property (including employer securities) distributed in box 1, the gross less any NUA on employer securities in box 2a, no entry in box 5, and any NUA in box 6.

Box 2b. Taxable Amount not Determined

Enter an X in this box only if you are unable to reasonably obtain the data needed to compute the taxable amount. If you check this box, leave box 2a blank unless you are reporting a traditional IRA, SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA distribution. Except for IRAs, make every effort to compute the taxable amount.

Box 2b. Total Distribution

Enter an X in this box only if the payment shown in box 1 is a total distribution. A total distribution is one or more distributions within 1 tax year in which the entire balance of the account is distributed. If periodic or installment payments are made, mark this box in the year the final payment is made.

Box 3. Capital Gain (Included in Box 2a)

Charitable gift annuities.   Report in box 3 any amount from a charitable gift annuity that is taxable as a capital gain. Report in box 1 the total amount distributed during the year. Report in box 2a the taxable amount. If any amount is taxable as a capital gain, report it in box 3. Advise the annuity recipient of any amount in box 3 subject to the 28% rate gain, such as for collectibles, and any unrecaptured section 1250 gain. Report in box 5 any nontaxable amount. Enter Code F in box 7. See Regulations section 1.1011-2(c), Example 8. Also see box 1 on page R-5.

Special rule for participants born before 1936 (or their beneficiaries).   For lump-sum distributions from qualified plans only, enter the amount in box 2a eligible for the capital gain election under section 1122(h)(3) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, 1986-3 (Vol. 1) C.B. 1, 387 and section 641(f)(3) of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. Enter the full amount eligible for the capital gain election. You should not complete this box for a direct rollover.

To compute the months of an employee's active participation before 1974, count as 12 months any part of a calendar year in which an employee actively participated under the plan; for active participation after 1973, count as 1 month any part of a month in which the employee actively participated under the plan. See the Example on page R-7.

Active participation begins with the first month in which an employee became a participant under the plan and ends with the earliest of:

• The month in which the employee received a lump-sum distribution under the plan;
• For an employee, other than a self-employed person or owner-employee, the month in which the employee separates from service;
• The month in which the employee dies; or
• For a self-employed person or owner-employee, the first month in which the employee becomes disabled (within the meaning of section 72(m)(7)).

Example for Computing Amount Eligible for Capital Gain Election (See Box 3.)

Step 1. Total Taxable Amount

A. Total distribution		XXXXX
B. Less:
1. Current actuarial value of any annuity	XXXX
2. Employee contributions (minus any amounts previously distributed that were not includible in the employee's gross income)	XXXX
3. Net unrealized appreciation in the value of any employer securities that was a part of the lump-sum distribution.	XXXX
C. Total of lines 1 through 3		XXXXX
D. Total taxable amount. Subtract line C from line A.		XXXXX

Step 2. Capital Gain

Total taxable amount		Months of active participation before 1974
Line D	X	_____________________	= Capital gain
		Total months of active participation

Previous| First | Next

Instructions Index | 2002 Tax Help Archives | Tax Help Archives | Home