Withholding News & Analysis

Lineman Faces $62,000 Tax Withholding on $310,000 Pension Buyout

A utility lineman accepted a $310,000 lump-sum pension buyout but made a costly mistake by requesting the check in his name. This triggers a mandatory 20% federal withholding of $62,000, leaving him with $248,000. Additionally, he must deposit the full amount into an IRA within 60 days to avoid taxes on the withheld funds. If he fails to redeposit the $62,000, it will be taxed as ordinary income, which could elevate his tax bracket based on his total income. This is crucial for ordinary investors as proper management of pension buyouts can significantly impact tax liability.