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The Daily Insight

What is line 9b on 1099-R?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Feb 09, 2026

Box 9b displays the taxpayer’s total investment in a life annuity from a qualified plan. This amount is used to compute the taxable portion of the distribution.

Is 1099-R Box 9b taxable?

Box 9b on the 1099-R shows the amount of the employee “contribution” to the retirement plan. If the taxpayer didn’t make any after-tax contributions to the retirement plan (as is often the case), then the “basis” is zero, and each distribution from the retirement plan is 100% taxable.

Where does box 9B go on a 1099r?

Box 9b is the amount contributed into CSRS and FERS and is on each year’s 1099R. OPM uses that to compute the taxable amount of the annuity as shown in Box 2a. Box 5 is the amount paid for FEHB premiums for the year. Yes, you need to worry about it.

What does box 5 on Form 1099-R mean?

The amount shown is the total amount of after-tax contributions you paid to your retirement plan while working. It’s used to determine the after-tax contribution amount shown in Box 5. If you want to know what each field on Form 1099-R means, then check out this informative illustration. Do you pay tax on this amount?

When to put unknown in box 2A or 7 nondisability?

They put UNKNOWN in box 2a when it should be blank, and put “7 NONDISABILITY” in box 7 when is should only be “7”, “1” or “2”. The taxable amount in box 2a is usually the box 1 amount unless you have after-tax contributions in the retirement plan and use the simplified method.

Do you have to put Roth contributions in box 9B?

You are not required to enter the total employee contributions or designated Roth contributions that are reported in box 9b. However, failing to do so may cause you to pay more tax than you should. What does an amount in box 9b mean? The amount shown is the total amount of after-tax contributions you paid to your retirement plan while working.