Early Distributions From Retirement Plans
An early distribution from an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) or a qualified retirement plan need not be a "taxing" experience. Fortunately, there are exceptions to early distributions.
Any payment that you receive from your IRA or qualified retirement plan before you reach age 59½ is normally called an "early" or "premature" distribution. As such, these funds are subject to an additional 10 percent tax. But there are a number of exceptions to the age 59½ rule that you should investigate if you make such a withdrawal. Some of these exceptions apply only to IRAs, some only to qualified retirement plans, and some to both. IRS Publications 575, Pensions and Annuities, and 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), have details.
In addition to the 10 percent tax on early distributions, you will add to your regular taxable income any distributions attributable to "elective deferrals" that you contributed from your pay, your employer's contribution and any income earned on all contributions to the account. If you made any nondeductible contributions, their portion of the distribution is not taxed, since you've already paid tax on this amount.
There is a way to avoid paying any tax on early distributions, however. It is called a "rollover." Generally, a rollover is a tax-free transfer of cash or other assets from an IRA or qualified retirement plan to an eligible retirement plan. An eligible retirement plan is a traditional IRA, a qualified retirement plan, or a qualified annuity plan. You must complete the rollover within 60 days of when you received the distribution. The amount you roll over is generally taxed when the new plan pays you or your beneficiary.
If the early distribution from an employer's plan is paid directly to you, your plan administrator will normally withhold income tax at a 20 percent rate. If you roll over the distribution to a new plan, you must replace that 20 percent of the funds that were withheld and deposit that amount in the new plan or you will owe taxes on that amount. To avoid the inconvenience of this withholding, you can have your old plan's administrator transfer the rollover amount directly to the new plan or a traditional IRA.
All early distributions must be reported to the IRS. You will report tax-free rollovers on lines 15a and 16a of Form 1040 along with any taxable distributions, but you will enter on line 15b or 16b only the taxable amounts you don't roll over.
Early distributions from retirement plans can involve complex tax issues. Make sure you understand the issues or get competent tax advice.
Richard Chapo is CEO of http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - Obtaining tax refunds for small businesses by finding overlooked tax deductions and credits through a free tax return review.
Warning: include(inc/ads-body.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/accounta/public_html/44112_business_personal_taxes.php on line 59
Warning: include(inc/ads-body.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/accounta/public_html/44112_business_personal_taxes.php on line 59
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'inc/ads-body.inc' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/accounta/public_html/44112_business_personal_taxes.php on line 59
MORE RESOURCES:
Costlier accounting fees seen as salaries set to rise Channel News Asia SINGAPORE : Companies could be paying more for accounting services with salaries in the sector expected ... Poaching adds to finance, accounting talent crunch Accounting fees, salaries set to rise |
B.C. needs diversified economy to resist slumps: Accountants The Province ... its economy and boost its productivity to better weather future economic downturns, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC says in a new report. ... |
 Daily Mail | Connaught collapse: What went wrong? BBC News Accountants KPMG have been called in to wind up the company's social housing unit, which was terminally bleeding cash. Other parts of the group, ... Jobs fear for 4000 Mr Fix-Its Rivals circle as Connaught confirms administration |
Govt to change role of accounting standards body Sify The government plans to redefine the functions of the National Advisory Committee on Accounting Standards (Nacas) to convert it into an independent ... |
 JoongAng Daily | Accountants are staying away from troubled firms JoongAng Daily Accounting firms are refusing to offer auditing services to more companies, forcing the shunned companies to delist from the stock market. ... |
 Seer Press | Thomson Reuters releases business accounting software Seer Press Thomson Reuters' Tax and Accounting division has launched its new business accounting software called Accounting CS Client Access, which offers companies ... |
 PerezHilton.com (blog) | Good News For Gordon Ramsay (And His Accountants!) PerezHilton.com (blog) His restaurants may be folding left and right, but chef Gordon Ramsay has a bright future in TV. Fox announced today that Gordon's latest culinary ... |
Accountant advisers lobby on fee reform Money Management The new industry body representing the interests of accountants practicing as financial advisers, the Accountant ... |
The many benefits of hiring experienced chartered accountants lonad News Business advisors and accountants in London can help you. Are you looking to save tax? Do you want to enhance your productivity and cut down on costs? ... |
Lawyers and Accountants Disappointed over Tax Dispute Proposals LawFuel.co.nz An Inland Revenue Department review of taxation disputes has disappointed the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants ... |
Rental Property Tax Deductions
Own residential rental properties? This article discusses how income from those properties impacts your taxes.What Constitutes Revenue?Generally, rental income is defined as any revenue you receive from the occupancy or use of residential property.
Early Distributions From Retirement Plans
An early distribution from an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) or a qualified retirement plan need not be a "taxing" experience. Fortunately, there are exceptions to early distributions.
I Havent Filed a Tax Return with IRS in Years, What Do I Do?
In elementary school, kids come up with creative excuses why they did not bring in their homework. "My dog ate it" or "It was stolen by invisible space aliens" might be given as a reason why something was not turned in on time.
How Likely Are You To Be Audited?
Statistics for IndividualsUnfortunately, the IRS increased its rate of auditing individuals in 2003 when compared to 2002. The increase was approximately 14%, but still constituted only 6.
Get Uncle Sam To Pay $36,000 For Your Childs Education!
Let's assume that you would like to begin saving for your children's education fund. At the end of each year, for the next 8 years, you will contribute $2,000 into a Coverdell Education Savings Account (Education IRA), using your after-tax dollars.
What to Do If You Can't Pay Your Taxes
The end of tax filing extensions is quickly approaching. What do you do if you can't pay the amounts you owe? You should still file your return by the due date and pay as much as you can.
Knock-Knock-Knock
Knock-Knock-KnockWho's there?The IRS!The next quarterly payment of estimated income tax for the self-employed is not far off. Network marketers who receive a form 1099 at the end of the year, and/or who are expected to owe $1,000 or more in taxes, must file a form 1040-ES Payment Voucher quarterly to avoid paying a penalty.
Tax Jokes and Quotes
Do you realize that some tax forms ask you to check a box if you are BLIND?Quote: "Two years ago it was impossible to get through on the phone to the IRS. Now it's just hard to get through.
Where to Find Tax Breaks for Your Home Based Business
April 15th looms in front of most people every year like a big, full moon full influencing a tax based frenzy, but knowing where to find tax breaks for your home based business can make that frenzy a little less frantic and more beneficial to you and your home based business. Finding tax breaks for your home based business is not overly difficult, but make sure you discuss tax breaks for your home based business with the person doing your taxes.
Tax Time Tune Up
Excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space Age Work with a Stone Age Brain" TMThe complete article with pictures and sample Auto Log is available at www.organize.
Small Businesses: Company Car Vs. Personal Mileage Reimbursement In Hurricane Katrinas Wake
With gas prices at an all time high before Hurricane Katrina left her mark on our nation, most Americans were hoping that gas prices would settle down once summer passed. But gas prices have jumped as much as 80 cents a gallon across the country once Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Gulf Coast and impacted all of our lives.
To Tax or Not to Tax - This is the Question
To tax or not to tax - this question could have never been asked twenty years ago.Historically, income tax is a novel invention.
Insider Guides to IRS Audits!
Ever wish that, as a business owner, you knew exactly what would raise "red flags" at the IRS? Or how to make an IRS audit go as smoothly and painlessly as possible?If you're in the right type of business, you can get that information, directly from the IRS!Traditionally, IRS examiners have been responsible for auditing many types of businesses. An examiner might audit a grocery store one week and a construction company the next.
Understanding Marketing Tax Deductions
Marketing is a necessary expense in running practically any business and the IRS acknowledges as much. You may run advertisements on or in the Internet, radio, television, magazines, newspapers and other media to sell your products or services.
What the Tax Software Companies Dont Want You to Know
Haven't done your taxes yet? No problem. Now there is a new way you can use top tax software programs, like TurboTax and H&R Block, to get your taxes done quickly and easily.
The Annual Gift Tax Exclusion: Getting The Edge
Whether helping the kids with a down payment on their first home, paying the premiums on a life insurance policy in an irrevocable trust, or moving appreciated assets to a younger generation, annual gifting will touch the lives of millions of Americans. But before the transfer is made, an investor should spend some time looking at the investment and the tax ramifications of the property to be passed.
The Implications of Income Tax Charge on Estate Planning
OverviewIn the Pre-Budget Report of December 2003 the Chancellor Gordon Brown announced proposals to levy an Income Tax charge from 6th April 2005 in those circumstances where the transferor of an asset retains and interest or continues to benefit from that asset. In the instance of real property, the 'benefit' envisaged is the transferor continuing to reside in the property he/she has allegedly given away.
10 Tax Tips to Reduce Costs and Increase Income
No one likes paying tax. Everyone understands that tax is a necessary evil and that without it our government would not be able to afford our roads, health services, education, welfare system etc.
Amending Procedural Laws for Collection of E-taxation
The electronic transaction ordinance defines the certificated copies in which are to be presented for adjudication. Where any law requires or permits the production of certified copies of any records, such requirement or permission shall extend to print outs or other forms of display of electronic documents where, in addition to fulfillment of the requirements as may be specified in such law relating to certification, it is verified in the manner laid down by the appropriate authority.
Employment Taxes - Depositing With The IRS
If your business has employees, you must pay employment taxes. The payment system can be a bit confusing, so this article discusses how to go about depositing employment taxes with the IRS.