Form 1099-R Block 5

[rcherpak]

Is the dollar amount in Box 5 of Form 1099-R always excluded from income? If not, what other information would one need to know to be sure? Box 1 has the same dollar amount as Box 5, and Box 2a is blank. The answer may be simple enough, but I still get conflicting answers from others. Thanks.

[Roland Slugg]

The 1099-R form in question must be for a pension or annuity, not an IRA distribution.

Yes, the Box 5 amount is a tax-free return of the T/P's cost/contribution. In all the cases I have seen, the difference between the amounts in Box 1 and Box 2a equals the amount in Box 5.

[David1980]

The exception I'm aware of is a CSA 1099-R. If the payer is the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) box 5 is insurance premiums.