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February 3, 2021
Question

Coved Withdrawal Payback

  • February 3, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

I took a Covid distribution in 2020 from an IRA.  I am filing my taxes this year, and I don't want to pay the tax but instead pay it back.  Can I pay it back before the tax filing deadline to avoid paying the tax or do I have to pay the tax, claim zero taxable and pay it back before the deadline or pay it back anytime in 2021 file an amended return for 2020?

1 reply

February 3, 2021

Yes, if you pay it back before the due date of the return, then you will not owe any taxes on it in 2020.

 

You can also pay it back later in 2021 and then file an amended 2020 return.

 

Please see the example from the IRS:

 

If you repay a coronavirus-related distribution, the distribution will be treated as though it were repaid in a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer so that you do not owe federal income tax on the distribution.

 

If, for example, you receive a coronavirus-related distribution in 2020, you choose to include the distribution amount in income over a 3-year period (2020, 2021, and 2022), and you choose to repay the full amount to an eligible retirement plan in 2022, you may file amended federal income tax returns for 2020 and 2021 to claim a refund of the tax attributable to the amount of the distribution that you included in income for those years, and you will not be required to include any amount in income in 2022.

 

Please be aware that Form 8915-E, that reports the Coronavirus-related relief measures for retirement plan distributions, is not yet finalized by the IRS. TurboTax will update this section after the IRS releases the final version of Form 8915-E and then you can finish your distribution information.

Please sign-up here and TurboTax will email you once the form is live.

 

 

Please follow these steps to enter your 1099-R:

  1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
  2. Click on the Search box on the top and type “1099-R”
  3. Click on “Jump to 1099-R” and you should see the “Your 1099-R Entries” screen
  4. Click "edit" and continue until "Tell us if any of these uncommon situations apply" screen
  5. Select "I took out this money because of a qualified disaster (includes COVID-19)" (TurboTax will walk you through questions once this section is ready)

 

 

Those who qualify as individuals directly impacted by the pandemic will be able to withdraw up to $100k from their retirement accounts without facing the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

 

You qualify if:

  • You, your spouse, or your dependent are diagnosed with COVID-19
  • You experience adverse financial consequences as a result of being quarantined, furloughed, or laid off or having work hours reduced because of COVID-19
  • You’re unable to work due to child care closure or hour reduction because of Covid-19
  • You experience adverse financial consequences as a result of closing or reducing hours of a business that you own or operate due to SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19.
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