Frequently Asked Tax Questions And Answers
Keyword: Rollover
5.3 Pensions/Annuities/Retirement Plans (i.e., 401(k), etc.): Types of Plans
If the amount rolled over was the net amount, that is, the amount of the distribution less the tax withheld, then the 20% withholding amount not rolled over is included in gross taxable income and may be subject to a 10 percent additional tax on early distributions from qualified retirement plans. Use Form 5329 (PDF), Additional Taxes on Other Qualified Plans (including IRA's), and Other Tax-Favored Accounts, to report the penalty.
If the amount rolled over was the gross amount, that is, you added an amount equal to the withholding to the amount that was rolled over, you would not add any of that amount to gross taxable income this year or owe a 10 percent additional tax on early distributions from qualified retirement plans. Publication 575 and Publication 590 in addition to Tax Topic 412 and Tax Topic 558 and Form 5329 Instructions are available for further guidance.
You must complete the rollover by the 60th day following the day on which you receive the distribution. (This 60-day period is extended for the period during which the distribution is in a frozen deposit in a financial institution). The IRS may waive the 60 day requirement where failure to do so would be against equity or good conscience, such as in the event of a casualty, disaster, or other event beyond your reasonable control. To obtain the waiver in most cases, a request for a letter ruling must be made which include the applicable user fee. Refer to Internal Revenue Bulletin 2007-01 to get the Internal Revenue Procedure for requesting a letter ruling. A written explanation of rollover must be given to you by the issuer making the distribution. For information on distributions which qualify for rollover treatment, refer to Tax Topic 413, Rollovers from Retirement Plans. For information on the Direct Rollover Option, refer to Chapter 1 of Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRA's),Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax and Publication 575, Pensions and Annunity are available for further guidance.