Can I withdraw money from 401k under CARES Act?

Asked by: Mr. Darren Kris  |  Last update: August 10, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (52 votes)

The CARES Act allows individuals to withdraw up to $100,000 from a 401(k) or IRA account without penalty. Early withdrawals are added to the participant's taxable income and taxed at ordinary income tax rates.

Do I have to pay the 10% additional tax on a coronavirus-related distribution from my retirement plan or IRA?

No, the 10% additional tax on early distributions does not apply to any coronavirus-related distribution.

When do I have to pay taxes on coronavirus-related distributions?

The distributions generally are included in income ratably over a three-year period, starting with the year in which you receive your distribution. For example, if you receive a $9,000 coronavirus-related distribution in 2020, you would report $3,000 in income on your federal income tax return for each of 2020, 2021, and 2022. However, you have the option of including the entire distribution in your income for the year of the distribution.

What are the special rules for retirement plans and IRAs in section 2202 of the CARES Act?

In general, section 2202 of the CARES Act provides for expanded distribution options and favorable tax treatment for up to $100,000 of coronavirus-related distributions from eligible retirement plans (certain employer retirement plans, such as section 401(k) and 403(b) plans, and IRAs) to qualified individuals, as well as special rollover rules with respect to such distributions. It also increases the limit on the amount a qualified individual may borrow from an eligible retirement plan (not including an IRA) and permits a plan sponsor to provide qualified individuals up to an additional year to repay their plan loans.

What is a coronavirus-related distribution?

A coronavirus-related distribution is a distribution that is made from an eligible retirement plan to a qualified individual from January 1, 2020, to December 30, 2020, up to an aggregate limit of $100,000 from all plans and IRAs.

CARES Act 401(k) Explained - Penalty Free Withdrawal

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How do qualified individuals report coronavirus-related distributions regarding retirement plans?

If you are a qualified individual, you may designate any eligible distribution as a coronavirus-related distribution as long as the total amount that you designate as coronavirus-related distributions is not more than $100,000. As noted earlier, a qualified individual may treat a distribution that meets the requirements to be a coronavirus-related distribution as such a distribution, regardless of whether the eligible retirement plan treats the distribution as a coronavirus-related distribution. A coronavirus-related distribution should be reported on your individual federal income tax return for 2020. You must include the taxable portion of the distribution in income ratably over the 3-year period – 2020, 2021, and 2022 – unless you elect to include the entire amount in income in 2020.

Who is eligible for a second COVID-19 booster?

Currently, Americans 50 and older can get a second COVID-19 booster if it's been at least four months since their last vaccination. Those over 12 with weakened immune systems are also eligible. "The reason to do that booster is especially for people, again, who are at high risk," Arwady said.

Is an eligible retirement plan required to accept repayment of a participant's coronavirus-related distribution?

In general, it is anticipated that eligible retirement plans will accept repayments of coronavirus-related distributions, which are to be treated as rollover contributions. However, eligible retirement plans generally are not required to accept rollover contributions. For example, if a plan does not accept any rollover contributions, the plan is not required to change its terms or procedures to accept repayments.

Does Section 209 of the Relief Act apply solely to reductions in the number of active participants covered by a plan that are related to the COVID-19 national emergency?

No. Although the first day of the statutory determination period - March 13, 2020 - is the date the COVID-19 national emergency was declared, the provision’s terms are not limited to reductions related to the COVID-19 national emergency.

What kinds of relief does the CARES Act provide for people who are about to exhaust regular unemployment benefits?

Under the CARES Act states are permitted to extend unemployment benefits by up to 13 weeks under the new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program.

How common is Paxlovid rebound?

Mayo Clinic researchers reported today in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases that less than 1% of patients at high risk for experiencing severe COVID-19 who were treated with Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) experienced a second bout of COVID-19.

What is the BA.5 COVID-19 subvariant?

The BA.5 variant has become the predominant variant of COVID-19 both here in Virginia and nationwide. It's causing increasing infections and hospitalizations.

Do I need to pay back my coronavirus disease loan after the deferment period ends?


After the deferment period ends, COVID-EIDL Borrowers will be required to make regular principal and interest payments beginning 30 months from the date of the Note.

Does Paxlovid make you feel better?

Paxlovid has been shown to be 88% successful in reducing severe illness, reduce hospitalization and death from COVID-19 if taken early on in the course of an infection.

What are some of the symptoms of the Omicron sub variant BA 5?

According to the University of California Davis Health, the reported symptoms of BA.5 are similar to previous COVID variants: fever, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, headaches, muscle pain and fatigue.

Can you contract COVID-19 through sexual intercourse?

Although there is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 virus transmits through semen or vaginal fluids, it has been detected in the semen of people recovering from COVID-19. We would thus recommend avoiding any close contact, especially very intimate contact like unprotected sex, with someone with active COVID-19 to minimize the risk of transmission

What are some of the things you can do to lower your chances of getting or spreading COVID-19?

  • Wash your hands well and often. Use hand sanitizer when you’re not near soap and water.
  • Try not to touch your face.
  • Wear a face mask when you go out.
  • Follow your community guidelines for staying home.
  • When you do go out in public, leave at least 6 feet of space between you and others.

What is the cumulative burden of COVID-19?


The cumulative burden of COVID-19 is an estimate of the number of people who may have been infected, sick, hospitalized, or died as a result of a COVID-19 infection in the United States.

How much is the second round of COVID-19 stimulus payment?

Authorized by the newly enacted COVID-relief legislation, the second round of payments, or “EIP 2,” is generally $600 for singles and $1,200 for married couples filing a joint return. In addition, those with qualifying children will also receive $600 for each qualifying child.

What if an employee refuses to come to work for fear of infection?

  • Your policies, that have been clearly communicated, should address this.
  • Educating your workforce is a critical part of your responsibility.
  • Local and state regulations may address what you have to do and you should align with them.

How is the CARES Act supporting small businesses?

The Paycheck Protection Program is providing small businesses with the resources they need to maintain their payroll, hire back employees who may have been laid off, and cover applicable overhead.

How to provide support to a person suffering from COVID-19?

• Help the person who is sick follow their doctor’s instructions for care and medicine.
For most people, symptoms last a few days, and people usually feel better after a week.
• See if over-the-counter medicines for fever help the person feel better.
• Make sure the person who is sick drinks a lot of fluids and rests.
• Help them with grocery shopping, filling prescriptions, and getting other items they may need.
Consider having the items delivered through a delivery service, if possible.
• Take care of their pet(s), and limit contact between the person who is sick and their pet(s) when
possible.

Should I get a second booster shot for COVID-19?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began recommending in March 2022 that people over 50 years old get a second mRNA booster shot—Pfizer or Moderna—if their previous booster was given at least four months earlier.

What if I don't get the second COVID-19 vaccine shot?


The bottom line is that if you didn't get your second shot on time, you'll want to get it as soon as possible. If you didn't get your second shot because you developed COVID-19 at some point during the vaccination process, it's still recommended that you get your second dose.

What is the difference between the 1st and 2nd COVID-19 booster doses?


Adults ages 50 years and older: Should receive a 2-dose primary series separated by 4-8 weeks and 2 booster doses. The first booster dose should be administered at least 5 months after completion of the primary series and the second booster dose at least 4 months after the first booster dose.