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Level 3
October 3, 2025
Question

10% Early retirement distribution penalty exemption

  • October 3, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 4 views

Dear Community,

 

My clients' took early Retirement distributions to cover their children's adoption, education costs and pay their prior tax liabilities. 

 

The distribution code is 1 - distribution is not exempt.

 

However, my clients' took out the funds for purposes that qualify for the distribution to be exempt from the 10% penalty.

 

What kind of documentation would you request to support the expenses?

 

Thanks in advance!

1 reply

George4Tacks
Level 15
October 3, 2025

Documentation needed would be everything to show the trail of the money with receipts for those qualifying expenses. 

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-exceptions-to-tax-on-early-distributions may help to clarify which expenses qualify. 

Answers are easy. Questions are hard!