Updated October 19, 2026. Quick answer: Rhode Island Schedule M lists the changes between federal adjusted gross income and Rhode Island income. Line 1t is the modification for taxable retirement income from certain pension plans or annuities, and nearby lines handle railroad and military pensions. The net of the schedule carries to page 1, line 2 of the RI-1040.
What this form does
The schedule is titled “RI Modifications to Federal AGI”, and page 2 has a section headed “NET MODIFICATIONS TO FEDERAL AGI:”. The instructions explain that “A complete list of modifications is available on RI Schedule M.” The form adds “If a modification is not listed, it is not an allowable Rhode Island adjustment to Federal AGI.”
This page covers the retirement lines. Rhode Island retirement taxes and whether Rhode Island taxes pensions give the state-level picture.
Who it applies to
The instructions for line 1t begin with the audience: “For those taxpayers who have reached full retirement age, if you answer YES to the following two questions”. The first question is “Were you or your spouse (if applicable) born on or before March 1, 1959?” and the second is “Is your Federal AGI less than or equal to the amount listed below for your filing status?”. The instructions list a figure for each filing status; that list is not reproduced here, so read it in your own booklet.
A note follows: “Only retirement income received by the taxpayer born on or before March 1, 1959 qualifies for this modification.”
The lines, one by one
| Line | What the form says |
|---|---|
| Page 1 heading | “MODIFICATIONS DECREASING FEDERAL AGI” |
| Line 1d | “Railroad Retirement benefits paid by the Railroad Retirement Board”. Instructions: “the entire amount of Railroad Retirement benefits included in gross income for federal income tax purposes are exempt from state income taxes.” |
| Line 1t | “Modification for taxable Retirement income from certain pension plans or annuities”. Instructions: “Modification up to $50,000 for taxable retirement income from certain pension plans or annuities” |
| Line 1t, birth dates | “Date of Birth (Required)” is printed for the primary taxpayer and the spouse on the line. |
| Line 1v | “Modification for taxpayers receiving military service pensions”. Instructions: “there is a modification reducing federal adjusted gross income for taxpayers receiving military service pension benefits” |
| Line 1y | “Total modifications DECREASING Federal AGI.” “Add lines 1a through 1x and enter as a negative amount” |
The instructions then tell you what to enter in the table for line 1t: “ONLY those amounts from Federal Form 1040 or Federal Form 1040-SR, line 5b pertaining to pensions and annuities.” That table is printed in the booklet and is not read on this page. They also separate three kinds of income from line 1t. For railroad benefits: “These amounts should be reported on line 1d.” For military pensions: “These amounts should be reported on line 1v”. For IRAs: “This decreasing modification amount should NOT include any amounts for IRAs listed on line 4b of your Federal Form 1040 or Federal Form 1040-SR.”
The figures the form prints
The one figure that sits inside a running sentence is in the line 1t heading: “Modification up to $50,000 for taxable retirement income from certain pension plans or annuities”. The AGI amounts by filing status are listed separately in the booklet and are not read here.
Where the result goes next
Page 1 closes with “Add lines 1a through 1x and enter as a negative amount”. Page 2 then says “Enter the amount from Schedule M, page 1, line 1y” and “COMBINE lines 1 and 2. Enter here and on RI-1040 or RI-1040NR, page 1, line 2.” Your payers’ figures come from Form 1099-R; see 1099-R boxes explained, Form 1040 line 5a and 5b and Form 1040 line 4a and 4b for how the federal return reports the same payments. For related state pages, see Rhode Island 401(k) and IRA withdrawals and Rhode Island annuity income.
Edition and line numbers
This page reads the 2025 RI Schedule M and the 2025 RI-1040 Resident Instructions (Revised 11/2025) for tax year 2025, the current file Rhode Island Division of Taxation served on 2026-10-19. Check the edition printed on your own form and use that edition’s line numbers.
Common mistakes
- Including railroad benefits on line 1t. The instructions say “Do not include amounts related to Railroad Retirement benefits included in your gross income for federal tax purposes on this line.”
- Including IRA amounts on line 1t. The instructions say “This decreasing modification amount should NOT include any amounts for IRAs listed on line 4b of your Federal Form 1040 or Federal Form 1040-SR.”
- Leaving off the paperwork. The schedule says “Attach supporting documentation for each modification being claimed.”
Related: Rhode Island retirement taxes, whether Rhode Island taxes pensions, Rhode Island 401(k) and IRA withdrawals, Form 1040 line 5a and 5b, and 1099-R boxes explained.
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Answer againSources
- 2025 RI Schedule M, RI Modifications to Federal AGI, Rhode Island Division of Taxation: tax.ri.gov
- 2025 RI-1040 Resident Instructions (Revised 11/2025), Rhode Island Division of Taxation: tax.ri.gov
Read from the state revenue documents linked above on October 19, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a preparer or the state revenue department is the right place to confirm anything consequential.