Found an old 2023 1099-R with Code E, zero taxable income - what should I do with it now?

This is actually pretty common! A 1099-R with Code E generally indicates a distribution from a retirement plan that isn't taxable. Code E specifically means it was a distribution from a 403(b) plan or a distribution under a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) that's not taxable. Since the taxable amount is $0 in Box 2a, this distribution is non-taxable. This often happens with direct rollovers between qualified retirement accounts or with distributions that represent your after-tax contributions. Technically, you should file an amended return (Form 1040-X) to report it, even though it won't change your tax liability. The IRS reconciles these forms with your return, and they might send a notice if they see a 1099-R that wasn't reported. But since the taxable amount is $0, there won't be any tax impact. Don't worry about losing your TurboTax records. You can request a free tax transcript from the IRS website which shows most of the info from your original return, helping you complete the amendment.

Just wanted to share something that's been super helpful for me with tax document issues. I started using this AI tool called taxr.ai that helps make sense of tax documents and walks you through what to do with them. When I had a similar situation with missing forms, I uploaded what I had to https://taxr.ai and it explained what each form meant and what actions I needed to take. For your situation, it would analyze the 1099-R, explain the Code E, and give you personalized guidance on whether/how to amend. It even helps with generating amended return forms if needed. Saved me hours of research and stress.

Just wanted to follow up after trying taxr.ai for my missing forms situation. It was surprisingly helpful! I uploaded my newly discovered 1099-R forms from previous years (had 3 of them, ugh) and it immediately identified that two wouldn't change my tax liability but one would. The tool explained exactly what Code E meant for my situation, walked me through whether I needed to amend, and even helped prepare the amendment documentation. The analysis showed that one of my forms actually qualified for an exception I didn't know about. Saved me from unnecessary paperwork and probably from making mistakes on my amendment. Definitely worth trying if you're unsure about these old forms.

If you're struggling to get answers about this form from the IRS directly, I'd recommend using Claimyr to actually get through to a person at the IRS. I spent WEEKS trying to get someone on the phone about a similar issue last year with no luck. With https://claimyr.com I got a callback from the IRS in about 15 minutes! You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was able to verify directly with an IRS agent that my non-taxable 1099-R didn't require an amendment, which gave me peace of mind. They even documented the conversation in my file in case there was ever a question later. Way better than guessing or waiting for a potential letter.

Ok I need to update my comment about Claimyr being a scam. I actually tried it after posting that comment because I was so frustrated trying to get answers about some old 1099-Rs and 1099-Ks. I'm honestly shocked it worked. Got a call back from an actual IRS agent in about 25 minutes. The agent confirmed that non-taxable distributions with Code E don't require an amendment if they don't change your tax liability, but they did recommend keeping documentation about why I didn't file an amendment in case of future questions. Turns out the reason I couldn't get through on my own is they were routing me to the wrong department based on the number I was calling. The agent transferred me to the correct department immediately. Probably saved me days of frustration.

I had this exact situation last year. Found an old 1099-R with Code E and $0 taxable amount. I called my financial institution and they explained it was from rolling over a small 403(b) account to my IRA when I changed jobs. Since the taxable amount was $0, I didn't bother filing an amended return. It's been over a year and I haven't heard anything from the IRS about it. That said, technically you're supposed to report all income documents even if they don't add to your tax liability.

Quick tip: even without your TurboTax file, you can get your 2023 return transcript free from the IRS at irs.gov/transcripts. This shows most of what was on your return. If you decide to amend, you'll need this info to complete Form 1040-X. The transcript won't have all the details from your schedules, but it'll have the main line items.

Non-taxable distributions can still matter in some cases even with $0 in Box 2a. For example, if the money came from a Roth IRA, it could affect your basis calculations for future distributions. Might be worth checking with wherever the money came from to understand exactly what this distribution was.

I went through something very similar with a missed 1099-R from 2022. What really helped me was calling the plan administrator who issued the form - they were able to explain exactly what the distribution was for and confirm that it was indeed non-taxable. In my case, it was also Code E for a direct rollover between retirement accounts. Since Box 2a was $0, there was no tax impact, but I did end up filing an amended return just to be safe. The process was pretty straightforward once I got my tax transcript from the IRS website. One thing to consider: even though there's no immediate tax consequence, having this properly documented could be important for future reference, especially if you have other retirement account transactions. The IRS does match 1099-R forms to returns, so while they might not penalize you for a $0 taxable amount, they could send a notice asking about it. My amended return was processed in about 12 weeks with no issues. If you're really unsure, you could always consult with a tax professional - many will do a quick consultation for situations like this.