If I received a lump sum distribution from my former employer, how can I avoid the 10% penalty on retirement plan taxes?
If you take a taxable distribution before age 59 1/2, the distribution is subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty. However, if you roll over your lump-sum distribution into another retirement plan within 60 days, you won’t be penalized.
You can also avoid the early withdrawal penalty if you meet one of the exceptions on Form 5329. Some common early withdrawal exceptions include:
- Qualified retirement plan distributions due to separation from service in or after the year you reach age 55 (age 50 for qualified public safety employees such as policemen and firemen.)
- Distributions made as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments, at least annually, and for your life or for the joint lives of you and your designated beneficiary
- Distributions due to total and permanent disability
- Distributions due to death unless the distribution is from a modified endowment contract
- Qualified retirement plan distributions for deductible unreimbursed medical expenses you paid this year. This applies up to the amount your expenses are more than 10% (or 7.5% if you or your spouse is 65 or older) of your adjusted gross income (AGI).
Related Resources
Get the facts from H&R Block about back tax returns. Learn the consequences of unfiled returns, how far back you need to file, and how to file with the IRS.
How do you report an exception if you made an IRA withdrawal for education costs? Learn more and get tax answers at H&R Block.
Seriously delinquent tax debt can cause your passport to be restricted. Find out if you could be impacted and learn how to fix the problem.
Have a missing tax refund? Not sure why your tax refund was withheld? Learn more about common refund problems with the experts at H&R Block.
