Form RRB-1099, Railroad Retirement Benefits

Don't worry! When you use TurboTax to prepare your taxes, we’ll ask you questions about your Form RRB-1099, figure out how much is taxable, and fill in all the right forms for you.

Form RRB-1099 is entered in the same area as the social security form. This amount is taxed the same way as Social Security benefits, which is why you enter them in the same area.

If you've already gone through the step-by-step interview and want to jump directly to the entry screen for Form RRB-1099, follow these directions.

1. Select the Federal Taxes tab (the Personal tab in the Home & Business edition).
2. Select the Wages & Income subtab, click on Explore on My Own.
3. Scroll down the Wages & Income screen until you see the Retirement Plans and Social Security group.
4. Click on the Start/Update button to the right of the Social Security (SSA-1099, RRB-1099) category.  
5. Follow the prompts.

For Form RRB-1099-R, see the next section which reports RRB Tier 1 and Tier II benefits (treated as pension income) and is not entered in the same section at Form RRB-1099..

Form RRB-1099-R reports any RRB Tier 1 and Tier II benefits (treated as pension income) paid to you and is entered in the same area as other form 1099-Rs. You will need to provide information about the benefit starting date and the non-taxable amount of your payments. Contact your benefit plan administer if you do not have that information.

1. Select the Federal Taxes tab (the Personal tab in the Home & Business edition).
2. Select the Wages & Income subtab, click on Explore on My Own.
3. Scroll down the Wages & Income screen until you see the Retirement Plans and Social Security group.
4. Click on the Start/Update button to the right of the IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals category.  
5. Follow the prompts.

Codes in box 7 are used to determine correct tax handling. You can see what your code means on the Guide to Distribution Codes table in the IRS Instructions for Forms 1099-R and 5498.

It is rare, but issuers may have used an incorrect code; if you think your code does not match what you believe happened, check with the financial firm issuing the form.

Many states exempt government pensions from state income taxes.

• Some states allow a fixed or computed dollar deduction, or completely exempt federally taxed pensions.
• Some states tax social security and RRB pensions the same as federal.
• Some states tax social security but not RRB.

For additional information about retirement plans and taxes, see these IRS publications:

• IRS Publication 915 (2011), Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits
• IRS Publication 554, Tax Guide for Seniors

 If you need to correct or change any information you have entered from your RRB-1099 or RRB-1099-R, the steps you take depends on if you have already filed your tax return.

• If you have yet to file your return, simply follow the navigation instructions above, and correct or change your information.
• If you have already filed your return, you will need to amend your return. Please click here for instructions.

For questions about printing, please click here.

If you have questions about the availability of form RRB-1099 or RRB-1099-R please click here.