There can be costly consequences for non-qualified distributions
Reviewed by Eric EstevezFact checked by Betsy PetrickReviewed by Eric EstevezFact checked by Betsy Petrick
Qualified vs. Non-Qualified Roth IRA Distributions: An Overview
When it comes to Roth IRA withdrawals, timing is everything. You can withdraw your Roth IRA contributions at any time and owe no taxes or penalties. When you turn 59½ (and your Roth is at least five years old), your withdrawals of both contributions and earnings will count as qualified distributions, freeing them of taxes and penalties.
However, there can be consequences if you withdraw earnings that don’t count as qualified distributions. You’ll owe taxes and an early withdrawal penalty on any non-qualified funds you withdraw.
Key Takeaways
- You can withdraw your Roth IRA contributions at any time.
- Any earnings you withdraw are considered qualified distributions if you’re 59½ or older, and the account is at least five years old, making them tax- and penalty-free.
- Other kinds of withdrawals are considered non-qualified and can result in both taxes and penalties.
Qualified Roth IRA Distributions
A qualified distribution from your Roth IRA allows you to avoid taxes and the 10% early withdrawal penalty. To count as qualified, the distribution of earnings from a Roth IRA must meet both of these requirements:
- It occurs at least five years after you opened and funded your first Roth IRA (even if you’re withdrawing from a different Roth IRA account).
- You take the distribution under one of these circumstances:
- You are at least 59½ years old
- You have a disability
- The payment is made to your beneficiary or to your estate after your death
- A withdrawal of up to $10,000 finances the buying, building, or rebuilding of a first-time homebuyer’s home
- A withdrawal of up to $5,000 in support of the birth of a new child or adoption
You can qualify as a first-time homebuyer even if you’ve owned a home in the past. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you’re a first-time homebuyer if “you had no present interest in a main home during the two-year period ending on the date of acquisition of the home which the distribution is being used to buy, build, or rebuild. If you are married, your spouse must also meet this no-ownership requirement.”
You can also use the money from your Roth IRA to help out a child, grandchild, or parent who meets the first-time homebuyer definition. No matter who is using the amount, you can withdraw a lifetime maximum of $10,000 under the first-time homebuyer exception.
Non-Qualified Roth IRA Distributions
Withdrawals that don’t fit the criteria above are generally classified as non-qualified Roth IRA distributions. Non-qualified distributions are subject to taxes, plus an additional 10% penalty. You may be able to avoid the 10% penalty if one of these exceptions applies:
- The distributions are part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (SEPPS).
- You have unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).
- You’re paying medical insurance premiums after losing your job.
- The distributions are not more than your qualified higher education expenses (for you or eligible family members).
In addition, you may be able to avoid the 10% penalty if the distribution is:
- Due to an IRS levy of the qualified plan
- A qualified reservist distribution
- A qualified disaster recovery assistance distribution
All other withdrawals from a Roth IRA that do not meet these criteria are considered non-qualified distributions. You’ll owe taxes and an early withdrawal penalty on any non-qualified funds you withdraw.
Important
Taking a non-qualified distribution from your Roth IRA not only results in taxes and fees now, but it also means you’ll have less money to rely on after you retire. Plus, you’re potentially losing out on years of compounding.
Ordering Rules for Roth IRA Withdrawals
The IRS treats withdrawals from a Roth IRA in a specific order. When you withdraw money from any of your Roth IRAs (if you have several accounts), the distributions are ordered as follows:
- Regular contributions
- Conversions and rollover contributions on a first-in, first-out basis
- Earnings on contributions
Don’t forget that you can withdraw your contributions at any time, for any reason, without owing taxes or a penalty. But after you’ve withdrawn the total amount of your contributions, your next withdrawals will come from your conversions and rollovers, and finally, your earnings. Those withdrawals, unless they’re qualified, can trigger taxes and penalties.
What Happens If I Take a Non-Qualified Roth IRA Distribution?
Non-qualified Roth IRA distributions are taxed as ordinary income. In addition, you’ll have to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are younger than 59½ on the amount withdrawn.
What Is a Roth IRA Conversion?
A Roth IRA conversion takes place when retirement funds from an IRA or employer-sponsored plan, such as a 401(k), are transferred into a Roth account. You’ll owe tax on the money converted, but withdrawals from the Roth IRA are tax-free when you reach age 59½.
Are There Different Rules for Roth IRA Conversions?
Though contributions can be withdrawn tax- and penalty-free at any time, there are more stringent rules for Roth IRA conversions. If you convert funds from another type of retirement account into your Roth IRA, you pay taxes on the amount at the time of conversion.
You cannot take a distribution of any of your converted funds within a five-year period of the conversion without incurring the 10% early withdrawal penalty. The five-year period applies even if you are over the age of 59½, and a separate five-year period begins at each conversion.
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