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February 8, 2021
Question

If I withdrew money from my 401k and 10% Federal income tax was withheld prior to getting the money, why do I have to pay on this again while doing my taxes?

  • February 8, 2021
  • 2 replies
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I requested $ from my 401K and I had 10% federal withheld, so that money I did not received and now I'm being charged another 10% while doing my taxes, why?

2 replies

VolvoGirl
Employee
February 8, 2021

The 10% wasn't enough.  You didn't actually pay the tax or 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 original 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 or 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 6 which goes to 1040 line 15)

Then you get credit for all the withholding taken out on 1040 line 17.

 

And by increasing your income you may have lost some credits like the EIC .  You can lose like up to 50% of it for taxes and penalties for federal and state.

 

And check if you have the right taxable amount showing up.   A 401K is usually 100% taxable.  Check 1040 line 5b.

February 20, 2021

So If I used the cares act of 2020 (401k) do I still need to pay the 10% fee on schedule 2 line 6?

macuser_22
Employee
February 20, 2021

@steveholman643 wrote:

So If I used the cares act of 2020 (401k) do I still need to pay the 10% fee on schedule 2 line 6?


No.   That is reported on the new 8915-E form.

 



The TurboTax 8915-E should be available on Feb. 25 (pending IRS approval by then).

The IRS just finalized the form on Feb 11. TurboTax must now submit their 8915-E software to the IRS for testing to be sure that both TurboTax and the IRS e-file computer are compatible. That process usually takes the IRS 2-3 weeks for approval to release the new form to the public.

See below for a link to sign up for an email when the form is ready.

This form is necessary to report COVID related distributions from IRA's and other retirement plans to report the distribution, pay it back over 3 years or spread the tax over 3 years.

A COVID-19 related distribution is reported on a new 8915-E form.

See this TurboTax FAQ to sign up for an e-mail when the form is ready.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/why-am-i-getting-getting-a-10-penalty-on-my-1099-r-when-i-withdrew-fund-during-covid-form-8915-e/01/1842324

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**
Employee
February 8, 2021

Your actual tax owed for the year is calculated only once, on your tax return, and takes into account all your income, deductions, credits and dependents. All withdrawals from a traditional pre-tax 401(k) are always subject to ordinary income tax.  Early withdrawals are subject to an additional 10% penalty.  For most taxpayers, the actual tax rate on the money will be 15%, 22% or higher, plus state income tax.   The 10% withholding is only the mandatory minimum amount.  You will get credit for this withholding, but if it is not enough to cover the entire tax bill, you will have to pay more when you file.