Skip to main content
February 28, 2025
Question

401K distribution tax

  • February 28, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views

I took a distribution from a 401K and paid 30% taxes upfront. I've done this same thing in prior years and have never had turbo tax apply a 10% penalty on top of the 30% I already paid.  It's always said "you don't owe any more money on the withdrawal" but not in this years version.  I can't find anything that suggests the rules have changed with regard to this.... is this a glitch in TT? 

2 replies

Employee
February 28, 2025

You had tax withheld from the distributions from the retirement account, just like when an employer withheld tax from your paychecks.  When you enter it all into the software, the calculations are done to reconcile the amount of income you received and the amount of tax that was withheld.  You might owe more or you might get a refund.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
Employee
February 28, 2025

How old are you?

 

There's a difference between taxes and penalties.  If you are over age 59-1/2, or were over age 55 when you separated from the employer, you don't pay an additional penalty.  But you always pay the income taxes.

 

The withholding is an estimate, your actual tax might be more or less, and is only calculated on your tax return after combining all your income, deductions and credits.  If the 30% withholding covered your tax in previous years but does not cover your tax this year, maybe you have other income this year.