How should I answer the question as to why I withdrew money from my 401K when I didn't request the withdraw? It was sent to me automatically from an old 401K acct

[mkdechand]

I left my employer in 1988. The 401K account was in my maiden name.  I couldn't remember the name of the holder of the account and had no contact information. I even tried going back to my old place of employment to get information and it was so old they couldn't help me.  I'm not sure how they even found me to send me the check 32 years later and it was made out to me as my maiden name.

[DoninGA]

If the reasons presented do not apply to you then there should be a selection for stating that on the page.

[fanfare]

IRS doesn't care why you took the money unless you are trying to avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty using one of the allowed exceptions.

In your case, that would not apply.

[Opus 17]

If the plan cashed you out due to inactivity, you had 60 days to rollover the money into a qualifying plan like an IRA or a plan with your current employer, then the money would continue to be non-taxable until you withdrew it in retirement.  If you simply cashed the check, then it is taxable as ordinary income plus a 10% penalty if you are under age 55.

Even if you didn't initiate the withdrawal, you kept the money instead of rolling it over.