[Updated on January 16, 2023 with screenshots from H&R Block tax software for 2022 tax filing.]
A Mega Backdoor Roth is different from a regular Backdoor Roth. It’s done by making non-Roth after-tax contributions to a 401k-type plan and then moving it to the Roth account within the 401k-type plan or taking the money out (with earnings) to a Roth IRA.
It’s a great way to put additional money into a Roth account without having to pay much additional tax. Not all plans allow non-Roth after-tax contributions but some estimated that 40% of people can do it.
Suppose you did a Mega Backdoor Roth last year. You should have received a 1099-R form from your 401k plan provider. You’ll need to account for it on your tax return. Here’s how to do it in H&R Block tax software.
Use H&R Block Download
The screenshots in this post are from H&R Block Deluxe downloaded software. The downloaded software is both less expensive and more powerful than the online version. A user reported getting an error from the online version of H&R Block in comment #8. The H&R Block downloaded software doesn’t give that error.
If you haven’t paid for your H&R Block online filing yet, you can buy H&R Block downloaded software from Amazon, Walmart, Newegg, or Office Depot and switch to the downloaded software. If you’re already too far along with your entries, make this your last year of using the online version and switch to the downloaded version next year.
If you use other software, please read:
Within the Plan Or To Roth IRA
You can do the mega backdoor Roth in two ways — convert within the plan or withdraw to a Roth IRA. Converting within the plan is much easier, and many plans automate the process. Transferring to a Roth IRA also works. See the previous post Mega Backdoor Roth: Convert Within Plan or Out to Roth IRA?
Here’s the scenario we’ll use as an example:
You contributed $10,000 as non-Roth after-tax contributions to your 401(k). By the time you converted the money to the Roth account within the plan or transferred it to your Roth IRA, your contributions earned $200. You converted $10,200 to your Roth account.
I’m using 401(k) as a shorthand. It works the same in a 403(b). Here are the entries into H&R Block software.
1099-R Entries
Go to Federal -> Income -> IRA and Pension Income (Form 1099-R). You can import the 1099-R or enter it manually. I’m showing manual entries.
Our 1099-R is a normal 1099-R. Enter the numbers from your 1099-R as-is. Ours looks like this:
The gross amount converted to the Roth account shows up in Box 1. The earnings are in Box 2a. If you didn’t have earnings in your rollover, Box 2a is zero. “Taxable Amount Not Determined” under Box 2b is left unchecked. The amount of your non-Roth after-tax contributions shows in Box 5. Box 7 has code G.
The IRA/SEP/SIMPLE box in Box 7 on your 1099-R should NOT be checked.
We’re not a retired public safety officer.
Rollover Destination
The Roth 401k account is officially a “designated Roth account” in the plan. Choose “Designated Roth account” if you converted within the plan. Choose “Roth IRA” if you took the money out of the plan to your Roth IRA.
That’s it. It’s as simple as that.
Verify on Form 1040
Now we verify we’re taxed only on the $200 in earnings, and not on the $10,000 non-Roth after-tax contributions.
Click on “Forms” in the top menu bar. Double-click on “Form 1040 and Schedules 1-3” in the forms list.
Scroll down to find Line 5. The gross amount transferred to the Roth account shows on Line 5a. Line 5b shows you’re taxed only on the earnings. If you didn’t have earnings, Line 5b will be zero.
When you’re done looking at the form, close the forms window to get back to the interview.
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mervinj7 says
Awesome! Thanks for posting so quickly after my question.
jb says
Do you only get the “Which plan did you roll over your distribution into” prompt if you have a taxable amount? I have 2 1099-Rs which nothing taxable and never got that prompt to appear.
Thanks!
Harry Sit says
As you see here, choosing Roth 401k or Roth IRA didn’t affect Form 1040 Line 5 anyway. It doesn’t matter you didn’t get that choice as long as your Form 1040 Line 5 is correct.
JPS says
Thx for the info – can you also post an example of how to report a partial in-plan Roth conversion from an existing 401k using pre-tax amounts?
Harry Sit says
It’s the same as the In-Plan Rollover section except that the number in Form 1099-R box 2a matches box 1, and box 5 is zero or blank. And the number on Form 1040 line 5b matches line 5a, making the in-plan rollover fully taxable.
Nilesh says
Can you show how to handle this in downloaded edition of TaxAct Deluxe? There does not seem to be a way to designate that rolled over to Roth IRA amount was post-tax contribution to 401(k)? Thanks!
Nilesh says
sorry, meant TaxAct Premier downloaded edition, if that makes a difference.
Brian T. says
Thanks for the super clear instructions! I ended up getting two 1099-Rs, one for the after-tax contribution that I made, and one for the gains on those after tax contributions. The gains show distribution code G in box 7, and I rolled that into a regular IRA account. The one reflecting my after tax contributions show Code 1 in box 7, which I rolled into a Roth IRA account. Thoughts on how to handle the Code 1?
Brian T. says
OK, after I posted this question I went ahead and entered the two 1099-R’s as you instructed, showing code G and code 1, respectively. It went in without a hitch, no change to my taxes! Again, thanks for your help.
JPS says
My company 401k plan now offers automatic in-plan Roth conversions as soon the after-tax contributions are made, resulting in a minimal or close to zero cost-basis. Assuming this does not need to be reported on my 1040 return since they are no gains (or close to no gains)?
Harry Sit says
It still needs to be reported even though you have no taxable gains. The gross amount will show on the tax return.
Matt says
Thank you very much for your explanation! I am not utilizing the downloadable software but the online version and the online version does not give me the option to select into which plan I rolled over the money.
This prohibits me from filing as I receive the following error message:
“Code G indicates a direct transfer; therefore, box 2a should be zero. If there is an entry greater than zero in box 2a, contact your plan administrator. Please verify the code entered.”
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Nicholas Kozdras says
I retired from the military in 2020, and converted my Thrift Savings Plan accounts to an IRA (2021 1099-R code H) and Roth IRA (2021 1099-R code H). As I enter IRA and Roth IRA history information in the IRA and Roth IRA worksheets in H&R Block, I’m receiving an error message “You told us your Roth contribution basis, but the sum of your prior-year contributions in History of Roth Activities is less than the contribution basis. Review what you’ve told us and make any necessary updates.”
Should I add my TSP and Roth TSP contribution history to the IRA and Roth IRA worksheets?
Harry Sit says
I don’t use the IRA and Roth IRA worksheets in H&R Block. I’m not sure what it wants. The worksheets are unnecessary if you will withdraw from your Roth IRA only after 59-1/2 and after you contributed to your first Roth IRA at least five years ago. If there’s a chance you’ll withdraw from your Roth IRA before 59-1/2, you’re better off keeping records on your own. See Maintain a Roth IRA Contributions and Withdrawals Spreadsheet.
doyle says
This was very helpful. Thank you.
Mike says
It looks like the $200 also needs to be included in line 4a of Form 8960 for Net Investment Income. HR Block DOES NOT DO that!!! During the Data Verification step, the software is asking me about Line 5 of the 1040 w/rt Form 8960.
Harry Sit says
Line 4a of Form 8960 is for “Rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S corporations, trusts, etc.” Retirement plan distribution isn’t any of those. The software asking you about Form 8960 is unrelated to mega backdoor Roth.
Mike says
Thanks for the reply Harry. After more detailed research, I realized the instructions for 8960 Line 4a references line 5 of 1040 Schedule 1, not line 5 of 1040. It’s a really subtle, but substantial difference. Sorry for my misunderstanding.
Mike W says
Does Form 8606 need to be filled out for the megabackdoor in plan conversion?
Harry Sit says
It doesn’t need to be.