Retirement tax questions

You can't have an IRA through an employer.    You had an employer plan such as a 401(k) or a 401(k) Roth (Designate Roth) that is NOT an IRA.

 

Neither Schwab or Betterment. would know your "basis" in the employer plan.     Only your documents from the employer plan will show that.  

 

You can claim the basis to the best of your knowledge,  but if the IRS questions it, (which is unlikely)  then they will want written proof such as your last employer 401(k) account statement.

 

However, if you took the distribution in 2020 because of COVID, then under the CARES act there is no penalty reguardless of age.  When entering a 2020 1099-R answer yes to the COVID related questions.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

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