March 9, 2010

Forms 1099-R - they arrive in your mailbox this time of year, taxing reminders of your retirement account decisions during 2009. Right there, in box one, is the total amount you withdrew from your pension, annuity, IRA, or other retirement plan.

But before you enter that figure as income on your federal tax return, it may pay to review your reasons for the withdrawal, especially in the case of IRA distributions.