avoid penalty on a 401K withdrawal when lost job

[utah-arizona-taxlady]

My client took money from 401K after she lost her job and couldn't find another. Can she avoid the penalty?  She has 3 kids and only made $13000 from her job.  Took $28000 from the 401 K.  I was thinking a hardship penalty but I can find anywhere to put that on the 1099-R worksheet or the 5329.  She did not tell them it was a hardship when she took it out. 

[Accountant-Man]

How old is she?

[RollTide68]

Unfortunately no.

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-tax-on-early-distri...

[Just-Lisa-Now- · Accepted solution]

You can use Hardship to get them to cash it out to you, it doesnt excuse the penalty though.

Retirement accounts are an expensive place to get money when youre not retirement age.

[utah-arizona-taxlady]

40

[utah-arizona-taxlady]

Yes I agree but I told them I would check to see if there was anyway to avoid it.  😞

[Skylane]

@utah-arizona-taxlady  I frequently use posts here to substantiate bad news that i have to give my clients. Sooner or later they learn to talk to their preparers before they make an out of the ordinary financial move during the year.

[utah-arizona-taxlady]

Good idea Skylane!