Individual retirement account distributions are income. However, in some instances, money you take from your IRA may not count as income. It depends which government agency you're dealing with. For example, IRA distributions may or may not be taxable income, depending on what type of IRA you have and the circumstances under which you withdraw the money.
Read More: Can I Cash Out Some Part of an IRA?
Taxable IRA Distributions
Three types of IRAs – traditional, savings incentive match plan for employees, or SIMPLE, and simplified employee pension, or SEP – are known as pretax IRAs because you fund them with tax-free contributions. Distributions you take from these accounts are subject to your income tax rate.
If you take distributions before age 59 1/2, they are subject to income tax, plus a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. You may be able to avoid the early withdrawal penalty if you qualify for an exception, such as putting a down payment on your first home. However, you would still owe income taxes on the amount you withdraw.
Read More: What Are the Penalties for Taking Money Out of an IRA?
Roth IRA Distributions
There are a variety of ways to avoid income taxes on Roth IRA withdrawals. If you wait until age 59 1/2 and your account has been open at least five years, you do not owe income taxes on Roth IRA distributions. Also, you may withdraw the entire amount of your Roth IRA contributions anytime and not pay income taxes.
To avoid paying taxes on early withdrawals from your Roth IRA's earnings, your account must have been open for at least five years. If it's been less than five years, you must use the money for a specific purpose such as a down payment on your first home or to support yourself if you become disabled.
Basics of IRA Transfers
Account transfers involve moving amounts between the same type of IRA -- for example, transfers between two Roth IRAs or two pretax IRAs. Internal Revenue Service rules allow you to transfer amounts in IRAs from one trustee to another without paying taxes or penalties. You can ask your IRA trustee to take funds from your current account and move it to an account you established with a new trustee. Amounts you transfer are not considered income.
Roth IRA Rollovers
If you want to move amounts from a pretax IRA, including a SIMPLE, SEP or traditional IRA, into a Roth IRA, you will owe income taxes on the entire amount of the rollover the year you make it. This is because Roth IRA contributions are after-tax -- funded with taxed income. The IRS takes its portion of your pretax contributions when you move them to a Roth IRA.
IRAs and Social Security Benefits
For the purposes of determining your Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration does not consider IRA distributions. Only work income could diminish your benefits, not money you receive from a Roth or traditional IRA, in addition to a 401(k) or pension.
The SSA may consider IRA income when determining whether you owe taxes on your Social Security benefits if you have a SIMPLE, SEP or traditional IRA. However, the SSA does not consider Roth IRA distributions as income for this purpose.
Read More: Does IRA Distribution Count as Income to Social Security?
