Are There Penalties for Early. Distribution from a Traditional IRA? Distributions from your Traditional IRA made before age 59½ will be subject (in addition to ordinary income tax) to a 10% non-deductible penalty tax unless (i) the distribution is a return of non-deductible contributions, (ii) the distribution is made because of your death, disability, or as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments over your life expectancy or the joint life expectancy of you and your beneficiary, (iii) the distribution is made for unreimbursed medical expenses in excess of 7.5% of adjusted gross income or is made for reimbursement of medical premiums while you are unemployed, (iv) the distribution is made to pay for certain higher education expenses for you, your spouse, your child, your grandchild, or the child or grandchild of your spouse, (v) subject to various limits, the distribution is used to purchase a first home or, in limited cases, a second or subsequent home for you, your spouse, or you or your spouse’s child, grandchild or ancestor, (vi) the distribution is an exempt withdrawal of an excess contribution, (vii) the distribution is made due to an IRS tax levy, or (viii) the distribution is made by member of the Armed Forces Reserve called to active duty for either a period exceeding 179 days or for an indefinite period and is effective for members called to active duty. The penalty tax may also be avoided if the distribution is rolled over to another individual retirement account. See Item 9 above for special rules applicable to distributions from a SIMPLE IRA.
