Can I apply a traditional IRA withdrawal to the previous tax year if I withdraw it before April 15th? This will be a penalized withdrawal.

[trevercummins]

I have traditional IRA money in a CD that will mature in March 2024 but I have an electric car credit this year(2023). I’d like to wait until the CD matures before withdrawing but pay the taxes with the credit from 2023.

[dmertz]

A distribution made at any time during 2024 is 2024 income.  It is not permitted to be treated as 2023 income.  It must be reported on the 2024 tax return, not on the 2023 tax return.

You might ask the IRA custodian if the traditional IRA can be converted to Roth in 2023 without incurring a CD early-withdrawal penalty.  If so, that would allow the taxable income to be realized in 2023 without penalty.