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-   -   Should I report my 401K distribution if it's only a small amount? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=182488)

  • Feb 10, 2008, 11:54 AM
    zulumimi
    Should I report my 401K distribution if it's only a small amount?
    Hello!

    I am 52 yrs. Old and have filed some variant of a IRS 1040 form all of my life. My income over recent years has been between $38,000 and $43,000.
    In 2007, I received $980.00 in an early distribution on a 401K. I am inclined to report it but am worried that I have never reported interest income (under 100.00 annually) in all of my tax filing years! I've never taken advantage of some deductions, either, to be fair.
    Would reporting this amount automatically make the IRS look into my past years taxes?

    Thanks for your input!
    Donna
  • Feb 10, 2008, 12:33 PM
    ScottGem
    Did you get a 1099 for the distribution? If so, then you report it.
  • Feb 10, 2008, 12:39 PM
    The Texas Tax Expert
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by zulumimi
    Hello!

    I am 52 yrs. old and have filed some varient of a IRS 1040 form all of my life. My income over recent years has been between $38,000 and $43,000.
    In 2007, I received $980.00 in an early distribution on a 401K. I am inclined to report it but am worried that I have never reported interest income (under 100.00 annually) in all of my tax filing years! I've never taken advantage of some deductions, either, to be fair.
    Would reporting this amount automatically make the IRS look into my past years taxes?

    Thanks for your input!
    Donna

    You should be reporting all income that you are required by law to report. Even when you don't receive a form documenting it, interest income is still (generally) taxable.
  • Feb 20, 2008, 12:18 PM
    AtlantaTaxExpert
    While I agree that the interest income should be reported, that amount of interest involved (less than $100 annually) is so small that the IRS will not even bother sending you a notice about it.

    It falls into the "de minimus" category.

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