After-tax 401K distribution – 1040 question

A client did an in-service withdraw in 2007. The pre-tax amount plus after-tax earnings were rolled over to an IRA. He received a 1099R with a code of G for this rollover. The after-tax amount was sent to him in a check which he subsequently used to establish a non-qualifed account. He received a 1099R with a code of 1 for this; however it states that the taxable amount is $0. His CPA prepared his 2007 return showing the full amount of the distribution (pre-tax + after-tax) on his 1040 (not sure which line) but put $0 where it asks the amount that is taxable. Now, the IRS is questionning the after-tax contributions saying in a letter to the client that it was reported but that because he was under 59 1/2 it is considered a premature distribution (which I guess is coming from the code 1). I know that there shouldn’t be any taxes or penalties on this as it was all after-tax contributions. Should the CPA have just included the pre-tax plus the earnings on the after-tax on the 1040? Was the code 1 appropriate in this case?



Code 1 is correct, but since there was no taxable distribution, it is immaterial.

The 1040 should include the full gross distribution on line 16a, -0- on 16b, and “Rollover” entered next to 16b. If “rollover” was omitted, it could result in the IRS inquiry, but there is nothing here to penalize since any early withdrawal penalty would only apply to pre tax distributions that were NOT rolled over, and he does not have any of those.



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