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Level 2
February 5, 2023
Question

Annuity withdrawal

  • February 5, 2023
  • 10 replies
  • 62 views

I took a $10,000 early withdrawal on my Annuity.  In two years I have made just slightly over $2000 in interest yet box 2a on my 1099R says of the $10000 withdrawn, $1375 is taxable.  How can it be so high?

    10 replies

    Level 15
    February 5, 2023

    The amount you pay in taxes depends on whether you bought the annuity with pre-tax or post-tax funds.

     

    If you purchase an annuity with pre-tax funds, the money you withdraw will be taxed as income.

     

    If you use post-tax funds to buy the annuity you’ll only pay taxes on the earnings (please see this excellent post from Tax Expert DianeW777 for additional information).

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    Level 2
    February 5, 2023

    Thanks so much Dana....the annuity was purchased with taxable dollars....it is a $100000 tax deferred annuity......have only made a little over $2000 since purchase so am confused why I'm they are saying $1375 is taxable income when I only withdrew $10000.  Thanks again for your wonderful assistance.

    Level 15
    February 6, 2023

    What you are describing is a non-qualified annuity. Annuity companies are required to distribute all of your earnings first and show those earnings as taxable. The non-taxable portion represents a return of your after tax investment. 

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    Level 15
    February 6, 2023

    I assume that this is a distribution from a nonqualified annuity (codes 1 and D in box 7 of the Form 1099-R).  If you previously took no distributions from this annuity, I would have expected the taxable amount to be slightly over $2,000, the entire amount of interest earned.  As JulieS said, non-periodic distributions from a nonqualified annuities come first from investment gains.  Only after all of the gains present in the account have been distributed do the distributions include a portion of your investment in the contract.

     

    Periodic (annuitized) distributions are different in that they include only part of your gains.

    Level 2
    February 6, 2023

    Thank you dmertz......wonderful explanation....