I took out money from an IRA in 2018. I used the money to pay for massage therapy school am I able to reduce the amount of the 10 percent penalty?

Turbo Tax is suggests if I used the money to pay for higher education I could lower the 10% penalty. Does the higher education need to be a qualified institution (accredited or that provides financial aid)? I

492

Expert Alumni

Jun 6, 2019 1:36:27 AM

Paying for massage therapy school is not an exception to the early withdrawal penalty for an IRA. The exception for higher education only applies to eligible educational institutions.

Please read this IRS document on Eligible educational institutions:

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/eligible-educational-inst

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I took out money from an IRA in 2018. I used the money to pay for massage therapy school am I able to reduce the amount of the 10 percent penalty?