Is the 10% Penalty on Early Withdrawal Waiverd For 2022?
When withdrawing retirement funds before reaching age 59 1/2, the IRS typically charges an early withdrawal penalty of 10% in addition to regular income tax on their distributions. There may be exceptions, though.
Example: Withdrawals from an IRA may be taken penalty-free in order to pay unreimbursed medical expenses or disaster expenses without incurring penalties.
Exceptions to the 10% penalty
The IRS does not permit retirement savings to remain intact forever and requires you to withdraw taxable distributions at some point. If you withdraw before reaching age 59 1/2, there is an additional 10% penalty; however there may be exceptions which could help.
You may take penalty-free withdrawals to cover medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income; withdraw money without incurring the fee when purchasing your first home; and if you take an early withdrawal to cover health insurance premiums between jobs, that withdrawal won’t incur the usual charge.
Other exceptions may include substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP), which refers to withdrawals spread out over five years or until age 59 1/2. We can assist with understanding these exceptions and ensure you abide by IRS rules.
Qualified hardship withdrawals
A qualified hardship withdrawal is designed to meet “immediate and heavy financial need” that cannot be met through other assets or insurance coverage, such as health insurance premium payments. Although you should explore all other possible sources before resorting to such withdrawal, for example borrowing money through personal loans or federal student aid could also provide help.
However, 401(k) withdrawals remain taxable income subject to an early distribution penalty of 10% and cannot be rolled over into another account, leading participants who take hardship withdrawals risk missing out on future earnings and must wait six months before contributing back into their retirement plan.
Qualified reservist distributions
Thanks to the SECURE Act of 2022, plan participants may now withdraw funds from their 401(k) accounts without incurring the 10% penalty fee – known as a qualified reservist distribution.
The IRS defines qualified reservist distributions as any distribution attributed to elective deferral contributions made in response to active duty call up for an individual participant; they must pause any future elective deferral contributions for at least six months following such distributions.
The IRS allows withdrawals from IRAs for specific uses, including first-time homebuyer expenses up to $10,000 and medical bills that cannot be reimbursed as well as qualified higher education costs. Furthermore, you can repay qualified reservist distributions within two years; though not tax deductible but considered regular income.
Unpaid federal taxes
If you fail to pay your federal taxes, the IRS could seize your assets. But they offer various solutions for avoiding this action, including working out an installment plan with them or using a credit card with an introductory APR of 0% for tax payments.
For 2020 and 2021, the IRS announced penalty relief for taxpayers owing less than $100,000 in assessed tax. Furthermore, automated collection notices will once more be sent to individuals, businesses, trusts, estates and tax-exempt organizations.
Werfel cautioned that marketers could attempt to take advantage of news about penalty waivers and collection notice resumptions by offering unattractive deals that sound too good to be true. Consumers should exercise caution with such offers and only work with trusted tax professionals.
Qualified education expenses
Before withdrawing funds from a 529 plan, it is essential to understand what constitutes qualified education expenses. Tuition and fees typically qualify, as do expenses such as software used for educational purposes and computer peripherals that are required as part of your course of study; however, items used solely for entertainment or amusement do not count as qualified expenses.
Qualified education expenses typically include tuition, enrollment fees, books and equipment purchased at an eligible educational institution – meaning any public, nonprofit or private college or vocational school participating in federal student aid programs – with room and board costs also qualifying as long as a student enrolls at least half-time.
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