How to Read Your 1099R

This page provides additional information you may find helpful in reading your 1099R Form.

Please note: The IRS has not updated any Box Fields for the 2020 tax year, but has updated the Box Numbers as shown below (New Box Numbers shown in blue bubbles). As a result, the form originally provided should be used by referencing the Box Titles rather than Box Numbers for boxes 12 through 19 when filing.

"Reprints" with updated Box Numbers can be attained by submitting the Request for a Duplicate IRS 1099R Form

Sample 1099R for 2020 tax year

  • Box 1, Gross Distribution: This is the total distribution for the calendar year for any one type of distribution from the CTRB.
  • Box 2a, Taxable Amount: This is the portion of pre-tax money of your Gross Distribution (in Box 1). Any post-tax money distributed would be represented in Box 5. When combined, these two boxes should equal your total distribution in Box 1.
  • Box 2b, Taxable amount not determined: If the "Taxable amount not determined" is checked, then the CTRB did not have all the necessary information to determine the taxable amount. In this case, you will be required to determine the non-taxable amount yourself. You may find additional information on how to calculate the non-taxable portion of your benefit in IRS Publication 575, or by referring to our Taxability of your Retirement Benefit Bulletin.
  • Box 5, Employee contributions/Designated Roth contributions or insurance premiums: This is the portion of after-tax money you are entitled to exclude from your Gross Distribution (in Box 1) for the calendar year. It is equal to the difference between your taxable amount (in Box 2a) and the total Gross Distribution (in Box 1). If there is an amount in Box 5, it means that when you began to receive your benefit you had "after-tax" money in your account – money that you had already paid taxes on.
  • Box 6, Net unrealized appreciate in employer's securities: Not Applicable to CTRB
  • Box 7, Distribution code(s): This IRS code represents the type of distribution you received from CTRB. Codes are listed on the back of your 1099R and a complete Guide to Distributions Codes is provided in the IRS 1099R Instructions.
  • Box 8, Other: Not Applicable to CTRB
  • Box 9a, Your percentage of total distribution: Not Applicable to CTRB
  • Box 9b, Total employee contributions: This is the total of post-tax money in your account at the time of retirement and also known as your "investment in contract". This information is useful when reviewing the Taxability of your Retirement Benefit Bulletin.
  • Box 10, Amount allocable to IRR within 5 years: Not Applicable to CTRB
  • Box 11, 1st year of desig. Roth contrib.: Not Applicable to CTRB
  • Box 12, FATCA filing requirement: Not Applicable to CTRB
  • Box 13, Date of payment: Not Applicable to CTRB

Boxes 14-19. State and Local Information - These boxes are for informational purposes only and are not needed by the IRS. When filing using the original distribution mailed January 29th, 2021, please refer to the Box Titles rather than the Box Numbers.

  • Box 14, Box 12 , State tax withheld: This is the amount of CT Tax withheld. This box does not determine your state of residence for filing.
  • Box 15, Box 13 , State/Payer's state no.: This identification number is informational only. This box does not determine your state of residence for filing.
  • Box 16, Box 14 , State distribution: Not Applicable to CTRB
  • Box 17, Box 15 , Local tax withheld: Not Applicable to CTRB
  • Box 18, Box 16 , Name of locality: Not Applicable to CTRB
  • Box 19, Box 17 , Local distribution: Not Applicable to CTRB