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February 7, 2024
Question

If I paid taxes when I made a withdrawal from my 401k, why am I paying taxes on it again while completing my return?

  • February 7, 2024
  • 3 replies
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3 replies

Employee
February 7, 2024

The tax you paid when you did the withdrawal will be reported on your 1099-R and will be applied toward your tax liability. 

February 7, 2024

No, you aren't paying taxes twice.

 

Tax withheld is just an estimated advance payment of your taxes. The final tax amount can only be determined when you fill out your tax return. If too much tax was withheld, you'll receive a refund; otherwise, there'll be a tax due.

 

You have to enter that form 1099-R on your tax return.

 

You can enter your form 1099-R by following these steps:

 

  1. In TurboTax, open your tax return
  2. Click on the down arrow next to Federal in the left-hand column then on Wages & Income
  3. Locate the section Retirement Plans and Social Security and click on the down arrow on the right
  4. Click Start next to IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R).


 

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February 7, 2024

It looks like I paid 10% tax already which is what I thought the total the IRS takes? 

VolvoGirl
Employee
February 7, 2024

You didn’t actually pay the tax or the 10% penalty (you pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under 59 ½). You had taxes withheld like from your paycheck. You still have to enter the whole gross amount (before taxes were withheld) with your other income to figure out the total tax (and it may put you into a higher tax bracket) and then the withholding is subtracted from the total tax to figure your refund or tax due. The Gross amount shows up on 1040 line 4a or 5a and the taxable amount on 4b/5b. The withholding will show up on 1040 line 25b.


It has to break out and show the 10% penalty separately on your return (schedule 2 line 8 which goes to 1040 line 23). Then you get credit for all the withholding taken out on 1040 line 25b.

DoninGA
Employee
February 7, 2024

The taxes withheld from the distribution reported on the Form 1099-R are only an estimate.  The distribution is entered on your tax return as ordinary income and added to your other income being reported.

 

If your total tax payments are greater than your total tax liability you will receive a tax refund for the overpayment.

If your total tax payments are less than your total tax liability you will have taxes owed.