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Excess 401k contribution between two employers

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
February 23, 2022
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Hello,

I changed my job last year. I contributed $19500 (max IRS limit) to EACH employers 401k plan. Earlier this year (in Jan 2022), I filed Return of Excess contribution from my previous employers 401k plan. They returned excess contribution amount ($19500+earning) in Jan itself. I called Fidelity, they says I will receive 1099-R next year (2023).

I am looking for some guidance on how to file tax return for 2021. Should I ask my former employer to give me new W2 with amendment? Is there any other better way to handle this situation?

I will appreciate any guidance you can provide!

Thanks,

Best answer by MinhT1

Reporting excess salary deferrals (excess 401k contributions) returned to you after the end of the tax year but by April 15th of the following tax year on your 1040. Do not create your own 1099-R for this situation.

Pages 10 and 11 of IRS Pub 525 under Excess deferrals (the IRS term for 401K contribution is deferral) tells us to include the excess deferrals as income on line 1 of Form 1040 if the money was returned after the end of the tax year but by April 15th of the following tax year. You need to report only the excess contribution, not any money generated by the investment of the excess contribution. What you earned will be covered by a 1099-R for the following tax year and will be entered then as a normal 1099-R.

Below is how to do this in TurboTax:

Click on Federal in the left-hand column, then on Wages & Income
Under All Income, scroll down to Less Common Income
Select Miscellaneous Income and click Start
Select Other income not already reported on a Form W-2 or Form 1099 and click on Start
Answer the question "Did you receive any other wages? Yes
Click through the questions till you get to Any Other Earned Income
Answer Yes to Did you earn any other wages?
Indicate Other as Source of Other Earned Income and click Continue
For the description enter "2021 Excess 401K Deferrals" and click on Done

M

MinhT1Answer

Reporting excess salary deferrals (excess 401k contributions) returned to you after the end of the tax year but by April 15th of the following tax year on your 1040. Do not create your own 1099-R for this situation.

Pages 10 and 11 of IRS Pub 525 under Excess deferrals (the IRS term for 401K contribution is deferral) tells us to include the excess deferrals as income on line 1 of Form 1040 if the money was returned after the end of the tax year but by April 15th of the following tax year. You need to report only the excess contribution, not any money generated by the investment of the excess contribution. What you earned will be covered by a 1099-R for the following tax year and will be entered then as a normal 1099-R.

Below is how to do this in TurboTax:

Click on Federal in the left-hand column, then on Wages & Income
Under All Income, scroll down to Less Common Income
Select Miscellaneous Income and click Start
Select Other income not already reported on a Form W-2 or Form 1099 and click on Start
Answer the question "Did you receive any other wages? Yes
Click through the questions till you get to Any Other Earned Income
Answer Yes to Did you earn any other wages?
Indicate Other as Source of Other Earned Income and click Continue
For the description enter "2021 Excess 401K Deferrals" and click on Done

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C

Cooldudude20Author

Thanks a lot MinhT1 for your quick response!

So, I only have to add excess contribution ($19500 in my case) as part of Wages..and I don't need to request new W2 with amendment to my former employer...the gains I had from excess contribution will be added during 2022 tax filing next year (in 2023)...Is my understanding correct?

Really appreciate your help!

Thank you!