Why Didn’t I Receive a 1099-R for My Year-End Distribution?

If you submitted a distribution or Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) request at the end of the year but didn’t receive a 1099-R for that tax year, you’re not alone. This is a common point of confusion, and it all comes down to when the distribution was actually completed, not when it was requested.

What Is a 1099-R?

Form 1099-R is an IRS tax document used to report distributions from retirement accounts, including IRAs. It shows the total amount distributed during the calendar year and is used when filing your federal income tax return.

When Is a 1099-R Issued?

A 1099-R is generated only for distributions that are completed within the calendar year—January 1 through December 31. If your distribution is processed on January 1 or later, it will be reported on the next year’s 1099-R, even if you submitted the request in December.

Common Year-End Scenario

Many clients submit distribution or RMD requests on December 31, expecting them to be processed the same day. However, due to:

• Market closures
• Bank holidays
• High year-end volume
• Processing cutoffs

…it’s often not possible to complete the transaction on the same day. If your distribution was finalized in January, it will be included in the following year’s 1099-R.

How to Avoid This Issue

To ensure your distribution is reported in the correct tax year:

• Submit requests early: Aim for mid-December or earlier.
• Check processing times: Review our published deadlines for year-end transactions.
• Confirm completion: Log into your account to verify the transaction date, or contact our support team.

How to Check If Your Distribution Was Completed

You can confirm the completion date by:

• Logging into your AET account and reviewing your Transaction History
• Looking for the “Distribution Completed” status and date
• Contacting our support team if you’re unsure

What If My Distribution Was Processed in January?

If your distribution was completed in January, it will appear on the next year’s 1099-R. You do not need to report it on your current year’s tax return.

Summary

Need Help?

If you’re unsure about your distribution status or need help understanding your 1099-R, our support team is here to help.