Federal income taxes withheld from a retirement plan distribution, which are listed in box 4 of Form 1099-R, are claimed as a credit on your return against the taxes you owe; they’re reported as taxes that you’ve already paid for the year.
A written determination issued to a taxpayer by the IRS that interprets and applies the tax laws to the taxpayer’s specific set of facts. A letter ruling advises the taxpayer regarding the tax treatment that can be expected from the IRS in the circumstances specified by the ruling. It may not be used or cited as precedent by another taxpayer.