topic I'm working on my 2020 & 2021 taxes. I did a 401K withdrawal for the COVID relief & forgot to put my 2020 taxes. Can I put it on my 2021 taxes? in Retirement tax questions

I'm working on my 2020 & 2021 taxes. I did a 401K withdrawal for the COVID relief & forgot to put my 2020 taxes. Can I put it on my 2021 taxes?

earl_walker2003- — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:44:41 GMT

My 2020 and 2021 taxes have not been submitted yet. Should I redo my 2020 taxes and include the 1099R or can I put it on my 2021 taxes since the income can be spread out across 3 years?

Re: I'm working on my 2020 & 2021 taxes. I did a 401K withdrawal for the COVID relief & forgot to put my 2020 taxes. Can I put it on my 2021 taxes?

DoninGA — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 21:42:54 GMT

You can only do that on the 2020 tax return to spread the withdrawal from the 401(k) over three years due to Covid.

Re: I'm working on my 2020 & 2021 taxes. I did a 401K withdrawal for the COVID relief & forgot to put my 2020 taxes. Can I put it on my 2021 taxes?

fanfare — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 01:35:15 GMT

you can't report a 2020 1099-R on 2021 tax return.

You must report a 2020 1099-R on 2020 tax return.

To divide by 3.0 is optional.

For most simplicity check the box to opt out of dividing by 3.0.

@earl_walker2003-

Re: I'm working on my 2020 & 2021 taxes. I did a 401K withdrawal for the COVID relief & forgot to put my 2020 taxes. Can I put it on my 2021 taxes?

dmertz — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 15:58:20 GMT

It's odd that the IRS has not sent you a letter billing you for a tax deficiency for underreporting the 2020 401(k) income.

fanfare's suggestion for opt out of splitting the income over 3 years would result in a higher late-payment penalty than would choosing on 2020 Form 8915-E to split the income evenly over 3 years.