IRA changes Brokers: 1099-R code?

[John of PA]

Taxpayer died and executor changed his IRA from Merrill Lynch to Vanguard, opening a new IRA at Vanguard under the spouse's name (spouse was beneficiary). How should ML code this 1099-R? Code 4 or Code G. The money was in essence a rollover to an inherited IRA but the rollover was from one custodian to another. Merrill did a code 4 (taxable) on the 1099-R. Is this correct?

[John of PA]

Thank you Duke for that helpful response.

[Rapid Robert]

Taxpayer died and executor changed his IRA from Merrill Lynch to Vanguard, opening a new IRA at Vanguard under the spouse's name (spouse was beneficiary). How should ML code this 1099-R?

I don't understand why executor was involved, as an individual beneficiary of an IRA bypasses the estate.

I suggest you find out which of three treatments the spouse beneficiary chose:

"If you inherit a traditional IRA from your spouse, you generally have the following three choices. You can:

1. Treat it as your own IRA by designating yourself as the account owner.
2. Treat it as your own by rolling it over into your IRA[...]
3. Treat yourself as the beneficiary rather than treating the IRA as your own." [Pub 590-B]

[John of PA]

Thank you again, I'll check.