Retirement Taxes
Pension Income
1. Taxation of Pension Income: Pension income is typically taxed as ordinary income at the federal level. State taxes may also apply, depending on the individual's state of residence.
2. Form 1099-R: Pensions are reported on Form 1099-R, which is issued by the pension provider. This form provides information about the amount of pension income received and any taxes withheld.
3. Taxable Portion: The taxable portion of pension income depends on whether the contributions were made with pre-tax or after-tax dollars. If the contributions were made with pre-tax dollars, then the entire pension income is generally taxable. If after-tax contributions were made, then a portion of the pension income may be tax-free.
4. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): For certain types of pensions, such as traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans, individuals are required to take minimum distributions starting at age 72 (or 70½ for those born before July 1, 1949). However, if the account owner is still working and not a 5% owner of the company, they may be able to delay RMDs until they retire. Failure to take RMDs can result in penalties, including a 50% excise tax on the amount that should have been withdrawn.
5. Additional Forms: Depending on the individual's tax situation, additional forms may be required, such as Schedule 1 (Additional Income and Adjustments to Income) and Schedule A (Itemized Deductions).