- 10 - The purpose of the early withdrawal penalty is to prevent the diversion of IRA funds to nonretirement uses and to recapture a measure of the tax benefits that have been provided. S. Rept. 99-313, 1986-3 C.B. (Vol. 3) 1, 612-613; H. Rept. 99-426, 1986-3 C.B. (Vol. 2) 1, 728-729; see also Aronson v. Commissioner, 98 T.C. 283, 290-291 (1992) (discussing former sec. 408(f), the predecessor of sec. 72(t)). The language of section 72(t) does not differentiate between voluntary and involuntary withdrawals. Thus, we have held the section 72(t) tax to be applicable where the taxpayer did not initiate the distribution. Clark v. Commissioner, 101 T.C. 215 (1993) (pension plan distribution due to termination of plan); Aronson v. Commissioner, supra (IRA distribution followed insolvency of financial institution); Vorwald v. Commissioner, supra. On the other hand, in Larotonda v. Commissioner, 89 T.C. at 292, we recognized the same legislative purpose in respect of the addition to tax on distributions from Keogh plans under section 72(m)(5), but held that that section did not apply where the proceeds of such a plan were levied upon to satisfy respondent's income tax levy. We reaffirmed our holding in Larotonda in Aronson v. Commissioner, supra at 292, pointing out that in Larotonda: "The IRS notice of levy triggered the taxable event, and we were concerned that Congress did not intend the additional tax to apply to such a situation. Consequently, we ruled for the taxpayers andPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011