Tax on a $300,000 401(k) withdrawal by other income
The 401(k) withdrawal stacks on top of whatever else you earn that year, so the same $300,000 costs more when other income has already used the low brackets. Other income here is pension or wage-like ordinary income; age 60, no state tax.
| Other income | Single | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $68,134 (22.7%) | $49,468 (16.5%) |
| $25,000 | $75,994 (25.3%) | $55,468 (18.5%) |
| $50,000 | $81,814 (27.3%) | $59,688 (19.9%) |
| $100,000 | $89,964 (30.0%) | $65,828 (21.9%) |
| $150,000 | $95,900 (32.0%) | $71,268 (23.8%) |
By age
Before 59½ a 401(k) or IRA withdrawal also owes the 10% additional tax unless an exception applies. From 65 the standard deduction is larger and the senior deduction (2025 to 2028) lowers the tax.
| Age | Federal income tax | 10% additional tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $68,134 | $30,000 | $98,134 |
| 60 | $68,134 | $0 | $68,134 |
| 66 | $67,417 | $0 | $67,417 |
| 73 | $67,417 | $0 | $67,417 |
By state
State tax on the same 401(k) withdrawal, single, 60, no other income. The nine states with no income tax take nothing.
| State | State tax | Share of the 401(k) withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $7,098 | 2.4% |
| California | $23,511 | 7.8% |
| Colorado | $11,612 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | $15,258 | 5.1% |
| Massachusetts | $14,780 | 4.9% |
| Michigan | $9,626 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | $11,461 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | $7,813 | 2.6% |
| Pennsylvania | $0 | 0.0% |
| Virginia | $16,436 | 5.5% |
Spread over several years
Taking the same $300,000 in equal parts over more years keeps more of it in lower brackets. Total federal tax, single, 60:
| Taken over | No other income | $50,000 of other income a year |
|---|---|---|
| One year | $68,134 | $81,814 |
| 2 years ($150,000 a year) | $49,468 | $65,828 |
| 4 years ($75,000 a year) | $30,680 | $59,656 |
Withholding, penalties and RMDs
A 401(k) plan must withhold 20% of a withdrawal paid to you, $60,000 here; an IRA withholds 10% unless you choose otherwise. Withholding is a prepayment and is settled on your return. Leaving your employer in or after the year you turn 55 lets that plan pay out without the 10% penalty (the Rule of 55); before then, 72(t) payments are the other way in.
From 73 or 75, required minimum distributions force withdrawals each year whether you need them or not; the RMD tables by age and balance show how large they get.
Other amounts
| Amount | 401(k) withdrawal | Roth conversion |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $390 on $20,000 | $390 on $20,000 |
| $25,000 | $890 on $25,000 | $890 on $25,000 |
| $30,000 | $1,420 on $30,000 | $1,420 on $30,000 |
| $40,000 | $2,620 on $40,000 | $2,620 on $40,000 |
| $50,000 | $3,820 on $50,000 | $3,820 on $50,000 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 on $60,000 | $5,020 on $60,000 |
| $70,000 | $6,570 on $70,000 | $6,570 on $70,000 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 on $75,000 | $7,670 on $75,000 |
| $80,000 | $8,770 on $80,000 | $8,770 on $80,000 |
| $90,000 | $10,970 on $90,000 | $10,970 on $90,000 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 on $100,000 | $13,170 on $100,000 |
| $125,000 | $18,734 on $125,000 | $18,734 on $125,000 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 on $150,000 | $24,734 on $150,000 |
| $200,000 | $36,734 on $200,000 | $36,734 on $200,000 |
| $250,000 | $51,304 on $250,000 | $51,304 on $250,000 |
| $300,000 | $68,134 | $68,134 on $300,000 |
| $400,000 | $103,134 on $400,000 | $103,134 on $400,000 |
| $500,000 | $138,134 on $500,000 | $138,134 on $500,000 |
The calculator, set to this 401(k) withdrawal
Set to a single filer aged 60 with $300,000 of IRA or 401(k) withdrawals and nothing else. Add Social Security, a pension, your state or a spouse.
On $300,000 of income, the 2026 tax is about $68,134: $68,134 federal. $0 of your Social Security is taxable. The next $1,000 you withdraw from an IRA would cost $350 in tax.
This year’s income sets your Medicare premiums for 2028. See your IRMAA tier.
Figures checked on against IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, 2026 inflation adjustments (PDF), IRS, enhanced deduction for seniors (26 U.S.C. 151(d)(5)(C)) and IRS Publication 575, Pension and Annuity Income.