topic Hardship on 401k in Retirement tax questions

Hardship on 401k

bayouranch — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:38:06 GMT

My father in law was sick and passed in 2023. I have to withdraw early form 401k to help. Also my father was sick and passed in 2024. I was off work and had to use 401k for house my kids college and to take care of my parents.

Re: Hardship on 401k

DoninGA — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 12:54:34 GMT

For a hardship withdrawal the first $1,000 is exempt from the 10% early withdrawal penalty. All of the amount over the first $1,000 is subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty if you were under age 59 1/2 at the time of the withdrawal or you were under the age of 55 and have separated from the company that provided the 401(k).

Re: Hardship on 401k

Vanessa A — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:26:23 GMT

There is not an exception to the underpayment penalty for hardship withdraws in general. However, for 2024, there is a $1,000 Emergency personal expenses distribution that can be exempt from the early distribution penalty. With a 401k, there is not an exception for education.

Any withdrawals you made in 2023 would need to be reported on your 2023 return. Those would not be eligible for the $1,000 emergency personal expenses. And in 2024, the withdrawals you made, should be included on your 2024 return.

Retirement topics - Exceptions to tax on early distributions