401(k) Withdrawal Tax Calculator
Taking money out of a traditional 401(k) adds it to your 2026 income and taxes it at your marginal rates. Before age 59½ there is also a 10% additional tax unless an exception applies, and a regular withdrawal has 20% federal tax withheld up front, which is a prepayment and not your final bill. This calculator estimates all three for tax year 2026, then shows whether you will owe more or get a refund. State income tax is not estimated.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Rules checked against IRS guidance and the statute October 28, 2026 · Methodology & sources
FedRateCalc is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of the Treasury or any plan administrator. Your Form 1099-R and your plan administrator are authoritative.
401(k) withdrawal tax estimate, tax year 2026
Estimate only. Federal income tax uses the 2026 brackets and the standard deduction, plus the extra standard deduction and senior deduction if you are 65 or older. State income tax is not estimated. No credits, itemizing or other taxes are modeled.
The withdrawal
Age and the 10% additional tax
Your 2026 income
Wages, pension, interest and the like, before the standard deduction.
Estimated net cash after withholding
$24,000.00
$30,000.00 withdrawn minus $6,000.00 federal tax withheld. The 10% additional tax and any remaining income tax are due when you file.
Still owed when you file
$2,950.00
Total federal cost $8,950.00 minus $6,000.00 withheld. Cash left after the full federal cost: $21,050.00.
- Taxable part of the withdrawal
- $30,000.00
- Income tax without the withdrawal
- $5,020.00
- Income tax with the withdrawal
- $10,970.00
- Federal income tax added by the withdrawal
- $5,950.00
- Marginal rate reached
- 22%
- 10% additional tax
- $3,000.00
- Total federal cost
- $8,950.00
- Federal withholding (20% of the taxable part)
- $6,000.00
- Effective rate on the withdrawal
- 29.83%
No exception covers this withdrawal, so the 10% additional tax applies to the taxable amount.
Worked example with 2026 brackets
A single filer, age 45, has $60,000 of other income and takes a $30,000 regular withdrawal from a traditional 401(k). The 2026 standard deduction for a single filer is $16,100 (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32).
- Without the withdrawal: $60,000 minus $16,100 = $43,900 taxable. Tax = 10% of $12,400 ($1,240) + 12% of $31,500 ($3,780) = $5,020.
- With the withdrawal: $90,000 minus $16,100 = $73,900 taxable. Tax = $1,240 + 12% of $38,000 ($4,560) + 22% of $23,500 ($5,170) = $10,970.
- Income tax added by the withdrawal: $10,970 minus $5,020 = $5,950. The top dollars land in the 22% bracket.
- 10% additional tax (no exception): 10% of $30,000 = $3,000. Total federal cost = $5,950 + $3,000 = $8,950.
- Withholding: 20% of $30,000 = $6,000, so the plan sends $24,000. At filing this person still owes $8,950 minus $6,000 = $2,950.
The effective rate on the withdrawal is $8,950 divided by $30,000, about 29.8%. With the same facts at age 60 there is no additional tax, the total cost is $5,950, and the $6,000 withheld is $50 more than that, which comes back as a refund.
The 10% additional tax and its exceptions
If any taxpayer receives any amount from a qualified retirement plan (as defined in section 4974(c)), the taxpayer’s tax under this chapter for the taxable year in which such amount is received shall be increased by an amount equal to 10 percent of the portion of such amount which is includible in gross income.
Individuals must pay an additional 10% early withdrawal tax unless an exception applies.
The table below is the IRS chart column for qualified plans (401(k), etc.), in the IRS wording. Exceptions that apply only to IRAs, such as qualified higher education expenses, first-time home purchases up to $10,000 and health insurance premiums while unemployed, are marked as not available for 401(k) plans in that chart and are left out.
| Exception | IRS description | Code section | In this calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | after participant/IRA owner reaches age 59½ | 72(t)(2)(A)(i) | Automatic from your age |
| Automatic enrollment | permissive withdrawals from a plan with auto enrollment features | 414(w)(1)(B) | Not modeled |
| Birth or adoption | distributions up to $5,000 per child for qualified birth or adoption expenses | 72(t)(2)(H) | Select; capped at $5,000 per child |
| Corrective distributions | corrective distributions (and associated earnings) of excess contributions, excess aggregate contributions and excess deferrals, made timely | 401(k)(8)(D), 401(m)(7)(A), 402(g)(2)(C) | Not modeled |
| Death | after death of the participant/IRA owner | 72(t)(2)(A)(ii) | Select |
| Disability | total and permanent disability of the participant/IRA owner | 72(t)(2)(A)(iii) | Select |
| Disaster recovery distribution | up to $22,000 to qualified individuals who sustain an economic loss by reason of a federally declared disaster where they live | 72(t)(2)(M), 72(t)(11) | Select; capped at $22,000 |
| Domestic abuse victim distribution | to a victim of domestic abuse by a spouse or domestic partner, up to the lesser of $10,000 or 50% of account (distributions made after 12/31/2023) | 72(t)(2)(K) | Select; capped at $10,500 for 2026 or 50% of the account |
| Domestic relations | to an alternate payee under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order | 72(t)(2)(C) | Select |
| Emergency personal expense | one distribution per calendar year for personal or family emergency expenses, up to the lesser of $1,000 or vested account balance over $1,000 (made after 12/31/2023) | 72(t)(2)(I) | Select; capped at $1,000 |
| Emergency savings account | distributions from a pension-linked emergency savings account (made after 12/31/2023) | 402A(e)(7) | Not modeled |
| Equal payments | series of substantially equal payments | 72(t)(2)(A)(iv) | Select |
| ESOP | dividend pass through from an ESOP | 72(t)(2)(A)(vi) | Not modeled |
| Levy | because of an IRS levy of the plan | 72(t)(2)(A)(vii) | Select |
| Medical | amount of unreimbursed medical expenses (>7.5% AGI) | 72(t)(2)(B) 213(a) | Select; only the amount above 7.5% of AGI |
| Military | certain distributions to qualified military reservists called to active duty | 72(t)(2)(G) | Not modeled |
| Rollovers | in-plan Roth rollovers or eligible distributions contributed to another retirement plan or IRA within 60 days (also see FAQs: Waivers of the 60-day rollover requirement) | 402(c), 402A(d)(3), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), 408A(d)(3) | Enter only the part you keep |
| Separation from service | the employee separates from service during or after the year the employee reaches age 55 (age 50 for public safety employees of a state, or political subdivision of a state, in a governmental defined benefit or defined contribution plan) | 72(t)(2)(A)(v), 72(t)(10) | Separation question |
| Terminal illness | distributions made to a terminally ill employee, on or after the date the employee has been certified by a physician as having a terminal illness | 401(k)(2)(B)(i)(I) | Select |
Qualified public safety employees: the separation exception for age 50 also covers specified federal law enforcement officers, corrections officers, customs and border protection officers, federal firefighters, private-sector firefighters and air traffic controllers, including distributions from the TSP (IRS chart, footnote).
The domestic abuse limit is $10,000 in the statute and in the IRS chart, but the statute indexes it after 2024. IRS Notice 2025-67 sets the 2026 figure, which the calculator uses.
The limitation under section 72(t)(2)(K)(ii)(I) for eligible distributions to victims of domestic abuse from applicable eligible retirement plans is increased from $10,300 to $10,500.
The domestic abuse exception applies to a distribution made during the 1-year period beginning on any date on which the individual is a victim of domestic abuse by a spouse or domestic partner (26 U.S.C. 72(t)(2)(K)(iii)). The emergency personal expense exception allows one distribution per calendar year, and once you use it, no amount may be treated as such a distribution during the immediately following 3 calendar years with respect to that plan unless you repay it or contribute at least as much as you took (72(t)(2)(I)(vii)). The medical exception covers only the amount of unreimbursed medical expenses above 7.5% of AGI, whether or not you itemize. Report the additional tax on Schedule 2 (Form 1040) and file Form 5329 when the 1099-R code does not show your exception (IRS Topic 558).
Qualified disaster recovery distributions (up to $22,000) are included in income ratably over 3 years unless you elect out. The calculator assumes the full amount is included in 2026, as if you elected out, so the 2026 tax shown is the higher one-year figure.
In the case of any qualified disaster recovery distribution, unless the taxpayer elects not to have this subparagraph apply for any taxable year, any amount required to be included in gross income for such taxable year shall be so included ratably over the 3-taxable year period beginning with such taxable year.
Long-term care distributions, not modeled. Section 72(t)(2)(N) also excepts a qualified long-term care distribution to which section 401(a)(39) applies. It is effective for distributions made after December 29, 2025, it is not in the IRS chart yet (the chart above was last updated December 11, 2025), and the calculator does not model it.
The amendments made by this section [enacting section 6050Z of this title and amending this section and sections 401, 403, 457, and 6724 of this title] shall apply to distributions made after the date which is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022].
The limitation under section 401(a)(39)(B)(i)(III) on a qualified long-term care distribution from a qualified defined contribution plan with respect to certified long-term care insurance remains $2,600.
Rule of 55 and the public safety variant
Qualified retirement plan distributions (doesn’t apply to IRAs) you received after separation from service when the separation from service occurs in or after the year you reach age 55 (age 50 for qualified public safety employees and private sector firefighters) or 25 years of service under the plan, whichever is earlier.
The exception turns on when you left that employer, not on your age at the withdrawal: leave in the calendar year you turn 55 or later and withdrawals from that employer’s 401(k) are free of the additional tax, even at 56. The IRS chart marks it as not available for IRAs. It does not remove income tax, and the plan itself must allow you to take the money.
Distributions made to a qualified public safety employee from a governmental plan (within in the meaning of section 414(d)) provided that the qualified public safety employee has separated from service during or after the year in which they attained age 50 or 25 years of service under the plan, whichever is earlier.
The sources word the age 55 rule two ways. The statute and the Topic 558 bullet say distributions made after separation from service “after attainment of age 55”:
made to an employee after separation from service after attainment of age 55,
Distributions made to you after you separated from service with your employer after attainment of age 55.
The IRS exceptions chart and the Form 5329 instructions say “in or after the year” you reach 55 (quoted above). This calculator uses that calendar-year reading, which is what the IRS chart and Form 5329 print.
Use the separation question in the calculator for either case. It trusts your answer: it cannot check whether you qualify as a public safety employee or when your service ended.
20% withholding versus what you actually owe
If an eligible rollover distribution is paid to you, the payer must withhold 20% of it.
You can’t choose not to have tax withheld from an eligible rollover distribution.
Withholding is figured on the taxable part only. It is not your tax: your tax depends on your total income and bracket. A large withdrawal on top of a high income can leave you owing more than 20%, while a withdrawal that fits inside your standard deduction and low brackets can be mostly refunded. On your return the withholding is compared with the full cost, which is the income tax plus any 10% additional tax.
Distributions from a qualified retirement plan are subject to federal income tax withholding; however, if your distribution is subject to the 10% additional tax, your withholding may not be enough.
Hardship distributions follow a different rule because they cannot be rolled over.
Unless you choose no withholding, the withholding rate for a nonperiodic distribution (a payment other than a periodic payment) that isn’t an eligible rollover distribution is 10% of the distribution.
That is why the calculator offers a second distribution type at 10%. 26 U.S.C. 402(c)(4)(C) excludes a distribution made upon hardship of the employee from eligible rollover distributions. So are qualified birth or adoption distributions (72(t)(2)(H)(vi)(II)), eligible distributions to a domestic abuse victim (72(t)(2)(K)(vi)(II)), emergency personal expense distributions (72(t)(2)(I)(viii) applies the same rules) and qualified disaster recovery distributions (72(t)(11)(G)(i)), so the 10% default applies to them, and you can elect a different rate. When you pick one of those exceptions, the calculator withholds 10% on the amount the exception covers and applies the distribution type you chose to any amount above its cap.
For purposes of sections 401(a)(31), 402(f), and 3405, a qualified birth or adoption distribution shall not be treated as an eligible rollover distribution.
For purposes of sections 401(a)(31), 402(f), and 3405, qualified disaster recovery distributions shall not be treated as eligible rollover distributions.
Qualified long-term care distributions are treated the same way (72(t)(2)(N)(iii)):
For purposes of sections 401(a)(31), 402(f), and 3405, any qualified long-term care distribution described in clause (i) shall not be treated as an eligible rollover distribution.
Required minimum distributions are the other carve-out: a distribution to the extent it is required under section 401(a)(9) is not an eligible rollover distribution (26 U.S.C. 402(c)(4)(B); Publication 575 lists the required minimum distribution (RMD) among the exceptions). If you are old enough to owe one, that part is not withheld at 20% and is not modeled here.
Periodic payments (for example substantially equal payments under the exception of that name) are withheld as wages under your Form W-4P, so the calculator does not assume a rate for them.
Roth 401(k) withdrawals
Any qualified distribution from a designated Roth account shall not be includible in gross income.
A distribution is qualified when it meets the five-year rule and is made on or after age 59½, after death, or because of disability (26 U.S.C. 402A(d)(2)(A), which refers to 408A(d)(2)(A) and leaves out the first-home clause, see 408A(d)(5)). Choose “qualified” in the calculator and the tax, the additional tax and the withholding are all $0.
The 5-tax-year period of participation is the 5-tax-year period beginning with the first tax year for which a contribution was made to the participant’s designated Roth account in the plan.
If the distribution is not qualified, the Roth account is treated as a separate contract and each withdrawal is split between what you contributed and what the account earned.
For purposes of paragraph (2)(B), the amount allocated to the investment in the contract shall be the portion of the amount described in subparagraph (A) which bears the same ratio to such amount as the investment in the contract bears to the account balance.
In practice, taxable earnings = withdrawal x (balance minus your contributions) / balance. The 10% additional tax applies to that taxable earnings part unless an exception applies. In-plan Roth conversions have their own five-year clock that is not modeled here.
Rollovers to avoid tax
A direct rollover to an IRA or another employer plan is not taxed and has no withholding, and the IRS chart lists rollovers within 60 days as an exception for 401(k) plans. If the plan pays you instead, the clock starts.
However, the full amount is treated as distributed to you even though you actually receive only 80%.
You must generally include in income any part (including the part withheld) that you don’t roll over within 60 days to another qualified retirement plan or to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), paragraph (1) shall not apply to any transfer of a distribution made after the 60th day following the day on which the distributee received the property distributed.
To roll over the full amount you must replace the 20% that was withheld from other money, otherwise the withheld part counts as income. The statute lets the IRS waive the 60-day limit where failing to do so would be against equity or good conscience, such as for casualty, disaster or other events beyond your control (26 U.S.C. 402(c)(3)(B)). Enter only the amount you keep in the calculator.
Federal employees and the TSP
The Thrift Savings Plan generally follows the same federal rules for the additional tax and withholding. Use the TSP withdrawal calculator for the traditional and Roth split and monthly payments. Both pages apply the age 65 extra standard deduction ($2,050 unmarried, $1,650 per spouse if married; Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and the $6,000 senior deduction (26 U.S.C. 151(d)(5), phased down 6% above $75,000 of MAGI, $150,000 if married) the same way. Once you reach the age where withdrawals become mandatory, see the RMD calculator. To see how much you can put in, check the 2026 401(k) contribution limits.
What this calculator does not do
- State income tax is not estimated.
- It uses the 2026 standard deduction, plus the age 65 extra standard deduction and senior deduction when you say they apply (modified AGI is approximated as other income plus the taxable withdrawal). It does not itemize or include credits or other taxes such as the net investment income tax.
- Married filing separately is not offered; the three filing statuses match the 2026 tables used across FedRateCalc.
- Other income is treated as ordinary income, and the qualified disaster option does not spread income over three years.
- Loans, net unrealized appreciation on employer stock and required minimum distributions are not modeled.
401(k) withdrawal questions
How much tax will I pay on a 401(k) withdrawal?
A traditional 401(k) withdrawal is added to your other income and taxed at your ordinary rates. For 2026 the calculator subtracts the standard deduction, applies the IRS brackets with and without the withdrawal, and shows the difference, so the part that lands in a higher bracket is taxed at that higher rate. If you are under 59½ and no exception applies, add a 10% additional tax on the taxable amount. State income tax is not included.
Is the 10% penalty charged on the whole withdrawal?
It is 10% of the portion that is includible in gross income, so a qualified Roth withdrawal or a rolled-over amount has none. Exceptions can remove it entirely (age 59½, separation in or after the year you turn 55, disability, death and others) or only up to a dollar cap (birth or adoption $5,000 per child, emergency personal expense $1,000, qualified disaster $22,000, domestic abuse the lesser of $10,500 for 2026 or 50% of the account). Above the cap the 10% applies to the rest.
How does the rule of 55 work?
If you separate from service with your employer in or after the year you turn 55, the 10% additional tax does not apply to distributions from that employer’s plan (age 50, or 25 years of service if earlier, for qualified public safety employees). The IRS chart marks this exception as available for 401(k) plans and not available for IRAs, so rolling the money into an IRA gives it up. You still owe ordinary income tax.
Why does the plan withhold 20% when I owe something different?
For an eligible rollover distribution paid to you, the payer must withhold 20% of the taxable part and you cannot opt out. That is a prepayment toward your total tax, not your tax bill. Your real tax comes from your brackets and may be higher or lower, and if the distribution is subject to the 10% additional tax, the IRS warns that your withholding may not be enough. The difference is settled on your return as a balance due or a refund.
Do hardship withdrawals have 20% withholding?
No. A distribution made upon hardship of the employee is not an eligible rollover distribution under 26 U.S.C. 402(c)(4)(C), so Publication 575 puts it under the 10% default for nonperiodic distributions unless you choose no withholding. The IRS exception chart does not list hardship as an exception, so the 10% additional tax can still apply before 59½.
Are Roth 401(k) withdrawals taxed?
A qualified distribution is not included in gross income. It must come after the 5-tax-year period of participation and be made on or after age 59½, after death, or because of disability. A nonqualified Roth withdrawal is split pro rata between your contributions (not taxed) and earnings (taxed, and subject to the 10% additional tax before 59½ unless an exception applies). The calculator handles both.
Can I avoid the tax by rolling the money over?
A direct rollover to an IRA or another plan avoids withholding and keeps the money tax deferred. If the check is paid to you, you have 60 days to deposit it. Because 20% was withheld, you must add that amount from other money to roll over the full distribution, otherwise the withheld part is taxed and may also owe the 10% additional tax.
Sources (checked October 28, 2026): IRS: Exceptions to tax on early distributions · IRS Topic 558 · IRS Publication 575 (2025) · Form 5329 instructions (2025) · IRS Notice 2025-67 · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · 26 U.S.C. 72 · 26 U.S.C. 402 · 26 U.S.C. 402A · 26 U.S.C. 151 · 26 U.S.C. 3405 · 26 U.S.C. 408A · 26 CFR 1.402A-1