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When we withdrew our 401k early, we already had our penalty amount withheld plus the 10%. Why am I getting taxes another 10% on top of the 20% I already paid?

I withdrew 10,389.49 from my 401k. They withheld 2,077.90-10% penalty plus the 10% taxes. Turbotax is also telling me that it's a 10% tax...I'm just confused.
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VolvoGirl
Level 15
Intuit Approved! This answer has been verified for accuracy by an Intuit expert employee

When we withdrew our 401k early, we already had our penalty amount withheld plus the 10%. Why am I getting taxes another 10% on top of the 20% I already paid?

You didn't actually pay the tax or the 10% penalty (you pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under 59 ½). You had taxes withheld like from your paycheck. You still have to enter the whole gross amount (before taxes were withheld) with your other income to figure out the total tax (and it may put you into a higher tax bracket) and then the withholding is subtracted from the total tax to figure your refund or tax due. The Gross amount shows up on 1040 line 4a or 5a and the taxable amount on 4b/5b. The withholding will show up on 1040 line 25b.

 

It has to break out and show the 10% penalty separately on your return (schedule 2 line 8 which goes to 1040 line 23). Then you get credit for all the withholding taken out on 1040 line 25b.

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2 Replies
VolvoGirl
Level 15
Intuit Approved! This answer has been verified for accuracy by an Intuit expert employee

When we withdrew our 401k early, we already had our penalty amount withheld plus the 10%. Why am I getting taxes another 10% on top of the 20% I already paid?

You didn't actually pay the tax or the 10% penalty (you pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under 59 ½). You had taxes withheld like from your paycheck. You still have to enter the whole gross amount (before taxes were withheld) with your other income to figure out the total tax (and it may put you into a higher tax bracket) and then the withholding is subtracted from the total tax to figure your refund or tax due. The Gross amount shows up on 1040 line 4a or 5a and the taxable amount on 4b/5b. The withholding will show up on 1040 line 25b.

 

It has to break out and show the 10% penalty separately on your return (schedule 2 line 8 which goes to 1040 line 23). Then you get credit for all the withholding taken out on 1040 line 25b.

When we withdrew our 401k early, we already had our penalty amount withheld plus the 10%. Why am I getting taxes another 10% on top of the 20% I already paid?

That 10% was an estimate and was withheld in the same way that your employer withholds tax from your paychecks.   When you enter everything into the software, it does the calculations to reconcile the amount of tax withheld during the year against the tax you owe.   You are not being charged twice for the 10% penalty.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
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