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401k early withdrawal

Bernard_

Hello,

I lived in the us for 7 years and had a 401k with my employer. I kept this 401k when I moved out of the US. Recently, my employer has been bought and discountinued the 401k so I had to withdraw all the mo,ney in it.
(Leaving abroad and being a foreign Citizen I could not open an IRA).

There was a 30% withdrawal but I am not sure if I also have to pay an extra "early withdrawal fee" (I am not yet 55), any of you has encountered this situation and know what to do?

Thank you

See also

The US taxation systemTaxes questionsJ1 American income + J2 French incomegiving up ‘domicile of choice', UKHow to apply for an SSN
twostep

I have not come across a waiver for 10% early withdrawal.

Bernard_

Thank you twostep. So that means I have to do a file a complete tax return with irs ( even though I don’t leave nor am a Citizen/green card) or is there just a form (and money!!) to send?

Thank you again
Bernard

twostep

I am not an accountant/ CPA. As far as I understand it you have to file and you may be able to get all or some back depending on your home country.

mugtech

When you said there was a 30% withdrawal, did you mean 30% tax withholding?  You will have to file an income tax return for the year in which the 401k was liquidated as a non-resident alien and you could owe or get a refund depending on the gross amount of your distribution.

pat94108

A few things: by 30% withdrawal, you're probably talking about the tax withholding. As far as the 10% penalty fee, I personally never had to pay it when I withdrew money from my 401k when I was no longer an employee with that company and I did it a couple of times.