Skip to main content
April 10, 2023
Question

How much should the penalty be for cashing out tradational ira?

  • April 10, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

Ok so here is my issue while trying to figure this out.  I lost 130 lbs  which left me with hanging skin that I would like to remove.  It is cosmetic surgery so insurance will not cover it so that leaves me to figure out how to pay for it. I don't have a lot of extra money so the less I would have to borrow to pay for it would be better. My main retirement is with the teachers retirement plan so I am not touching that.  What I do have and this is my question is I have a traditional ira with vanguard.  I put 5000 in to it when I worked with my old employer and it has grown to 9600.  I have not done anything with it in years just let it sit.  If I with drew all the money, I know I would have to put it on my taxes as income and pay taxes for it  like it was income. I am also guessing because I am only 50 that I would still have to pay a 10 percent penalty. Would this be charged by the irs itself and pay that all at tax time? what percentage of the 9600 would I actually need to put aside  to pay?  if I took out less than my initial contribution I know that would be taxed but would that also be hit with a penalty?

1 reply

April 10, 2023

If you withdraw from your Traditional IRA before age 59 1/2, you have to pay tax at your marginal rate plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty. You pay this whether you withdraw any amount, whether more or less than your initial contribution.

 

Let's take an example: if your marginal tax rate is 22%, then you will have to pay 22% + 10% = 32% of $9,600, which a total tax of $3,072.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
April 10, 2023

Thank you, that is the best answer I have heard all day.