The IRS allows those under the age of 59 ½ to withdraw from their 401(k) plans without the 10% additional penalty if they do so in the form of a series of substantially equal payments (SoSEPP) over their remaining life expectancy.
Although you can't completely avoid paying taxes on 401(k) withdrawals, you can reduce the taxes you'll pay. For instance, you can avoid the 10% penalty on an early distribution by taking the distribution as a series of substantially equal period payments.
One of the easiest ways to lower the amount of taxes you have to pay on 401(k) withdrawals is to convert to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k).
Since Jan. 1, 2024, however, a new IRS rule allows retirement plan owners to withdraw up to $1,000 for unspecified personal or family emergency expenses, penalty-free, if their plan allows.
As a general rule, if you withdraw funds before age 59 ½, you'll trigger an IRS tax penalty of 10%. The good news is that there's a way to take your distributions a few years early without incurring this penalty. This is known as the rule of 55.
Delay IRA Withdrawals Until Age 59 1/2
You can avoid the early withdrawal penalty by waiting until at least age 59 1/2 to start taking distributions from your IRA. Once you turn age 59 1/2, you can withdraw any amount from your IRA without having to pay the 10% penalty.
You'll pay penalties and taxes for using retirement savings to pay off debt. Every retirement account—a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and 401(k)—has age distribution limits. That means some combination of penalties and taxes may hit you for early withdrawals.
But, no, you don't pay income tax twice on 401(k) withdrawals. With the 20% withholding on your distribution, you're essentially paying part of your taxes upfront. Depending on your tax situation, the amount withheld might not be enough to cover your full tax liability.
For example, some 401(k) plans may allow a hardship distribution to pay for your, your spouse's, your dependents' or your primary plan beneficiary's: medical expenses, funeral expenses, or. tuition and related educational expenses.
Occasionally, there are special circumstances in which early withdrawal penalties are waived or removed for investors who qualify. Withdrawing investment funds early to pay a high medical expense or make a qualifying home purchase is enough to get an early withdrawal penalty fee waived.
A hardship withdrawal allows you to access your 401(k) to cover financial emergencies without the 10% early-withdrawal penalty (at least in most cases). If you're taking a hardship withdrawal from a traditional 401(k), you'll have to pay income tax on it.
You can do a 401(k) withdrawal while you're still employed at the company that sponsors your 401(k), but you can only cash out your 401(k) from previous employers. Learn what do with your 401(k) after changing jobs.
Deferring Social Security payments, rolling over old 401(k)s, setting up IRAs to avoid the mandatory 20% federal income tax, and keeping your capital gains taxes low are among the best strategies for reducing taxes on your 401(k) withdrawal.
Mistake #1: Not Starting Your RMD on Time
The rules for RMD starting ages have undergone changes in recent years, leading to confusion among many individuals. In the past, the starting age for RMDs was 70½. However, as of 2023, the starting age stands at 73 and is set to increase to 75 in the future.
You may be eligible to take early distributions from your 401(k) without penalty if you meet certain criteria with a hardship distribution. It requires an immediate and heavy financial burden you couldn't afford to pay. 7 Hardship distributions are only allowed up to the amount needed to relieve the hardship.
Specifically, as of 2024, you can withdraw up to $1,000 from your qualified plan (e.g., 401(k), 403(b), 457(b)) or IRA (including SEP, Simple IRA) once each calendar year without penalty. You will still have to pay ordinary income taxes on the withdrawal.
Borrowing from your 401(k) may be the best option, although it does carry some risk. Alternatively, consider the Rule of 55 as another way to withdraw money from your 401(k) without the tax penalty.
Under new IRS rules, Americans can now withdraw up to $1,000 from their 401(k)s without any penalties if the money is needed to cover a financial emergency. Acceptable reasons for a withdrawal include medical care, funeral expenses, auto repairs or "any other necessary emergency personal expenses."
If you withdraw money from your plan before age 59 1/2, you might have a 10% early withdrawal penalty. However, there are exceptions to this early distribution penalty. The penalty doesn't usually apply to distributions from your employer plan or IRA if any of these are true: You're totally and permanently disabled.
The short answer: It depends. If debt causes daily stress, you may consider drastic debt payoff plans. Knowing that early withdrawal from your 401(k) could cost you in extra taxes and fees, it's important to assess your financial situation and run some calculations first.