Form 1099-R Box 7a
Code G: Direct rollover
The payer transferred funds directly to another qualified plan or traditional IRA.
Usual federal tax treatment
A qualifying direct rollover is generally not taxable. A pre-tax amount rolled to a Roth account is a taxable conversion.
What to do next
Report the gross amount on Line 4a/5a and the taxable conversion amount, if any, on the paired Line 4b/5b; check the Rollover box on Line 4c or 5c rather than writing "Rollover" by hand.
Where code G flows on your return
The gross rollover amount still shows on Form 1040 Line 4a or 5a, but the taxable amount on the paired Line 4b/5b is normally zero for a same-type rollover (pretax-to-pretax). On the current Form 1040, you also check the Rollover box on Line 4c (IRA) or Line 5c (pension/annuity), replacing the older practice of writing "ROLLOVER" next to the line.
How code G works
Code G means the plan administrator sent your money directly to the receiving IRA or plan by trustee-to-trustee transfer — you never had control of the funds. This avoids the mandatory 20% withholding that applies when an eligible rollover distribution is instead paid to you directly, and it keeps the transaction out of your taxable income for a same-type rollover (traditional-to-traditional, or Roth-to-Roth).
A code G rollover from a pretax account (traditional 401(k), traditional IRA) directly into a Roth IRA or designated Roth account is different — that is a Roth conversion, and the converted amount is taxable even though it is still coded G, because the money moved from pretax to after-tax treatment. Box 2a on that 1099-R will show the taxable conversion amount rather than zero.
Worked example
When Ben changes jobs, his old 401(k) plan sends $45,000 directly to his new employer's 401(k) plan. His 1099-R shows code G, Box 1 of $45,000, and Box 2a of $0. Line 5a on his 1040 shows $45,000, Line 5b shows $0, and he checks the Rollover box on Line 5c — no tax is due on the transfer.
Estimate this distribution
Enter Box 1, Box 2a, Box 4, your age, other income, and code G to estimate taxable income and possible additional tax.
Open the 1099-R calculatorFrequently asked questions
Is a code G rollover always tax-free?
It is tax-free when the money moves between accounts of the same pretax-or-Roth type. If a pretax account is rolled directly into a Roth account, the amount is a taxable conversion even though the 1099-R still shows code G, and Box 2a reflects that taxable amount.
How do I show a code G rollover on my 1040?
The gross amount goes on Line 4a or 5a, the taxable amount (often $0) goes on the paired Line 4b/5b, and you check the Rollover checkbox on Line 4c or 5c.
Does a direct rollover avoid mandatory withholding?
Yes. Because the funds move directly between the payer and the receiving account without passing through your hands, the mandatory 20% withholding that applies to eligible rollover distributions paid to you does not apply to a direct (code G) rollover.