
In Virginia, you'll need to pay state taxes on 401k withdrawals, which can be a significant addition to your tax bill. The state tax rate on 401k withdrawals in Virginia is 2% to 5.75%, depending on your income level.
If you're 59 1/2 or older, you may be eligible for a tax exemption on up to $10,000 of your 401k withdrawal in Virginia. This exemption is designed to help retirees with living expenses.
You'll need to file Form 760SB with the Virginia Department of Taxation to claim this exemption.
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Virginia Taxes and Retirement
Virginia has relatively low retirement taxes, making it an attractive place to retire. Social Security retirement benefits are not taxed in Virginia, which is a significant advantage.
If you're 65 or older, you can deduct up to $12,000 of your retirement income, including pension income and retirement account withdrawals. This deduction phases out if your federal adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds $50,000 for single filers or $75,000 for married filers.
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Most retirement income, including pensions, 401(k)s, and IRAs, is taxable in Virginia. However, you can subtract the amount of your Social Security benefits that are taxed at the federal level from your Virginia return.
If you have a Roth IRA, you've already paid taxes on the money you contributed, so you won't pay tax on your distributions. Traditional IRAs, on the other hand, are taxed on the distributions.
Virginia offers a subtraction for qualifying individuals ages 65 and older, which reduces the amount of their income subject to Virginia income tax. If you were born on January 1, 1939, or earlier, you can subtract $12,000. If you were born on January 2, 1939, or later, the amount of allowed subtraction is based on your income.
Here's a breakdown of the age deduction for taxpayers 65 and older:
- Birthdate on or before January 1, 1939: $12,000 deduction
- Birthdate on January 2, 1939, or later: deduction amount based on income
Traditional 401(k) Tax Implications
Traditional 401(k) accounts offer a tax benefit at the time of contribution; that is, your contributions to a traditional 401(k) reduce your taxable income, which in turn reduces your tax bill.
You'll pay taxes on withdrawals from a traditional 401(k) account, similar to IRA accounts. This tax treatment depends on your age at the time of withdrawal.
Paying taxes on withdrawals from a traditional 401(k) is a trade-off for the tax benefit you received when you contributed to the account.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Do You Pay Taxes on Roth 401 K
Virginia Taxes
You'll be happy to know that Virginia has relatively low retirement taxes. Social Security retirement benefits are not taxed in Virginia.
Other types of retirement income, such as pension income and retirement account withdrawals, are deductible up to $12,000 for seniors.
If you're 65 or older, you may be eligible for a subtraction that reduces the amount of your income subject to Virginia income tax. This subtraction is based on your birthdate and income level.
Here's a breakdown of the subtraction amounts:
- If you were born on January 1, 1939, or earlier, you can subtract $12,000.
- If you were born on January 2, 1939, or later, the amount of allowed subtraction is based on your income.
Distributions from traditional IRAs and 401(k) plans are fully taxable as ordinary income in Virginia. The state does not offer a specific deduction for these withdrawals, so they are subject to the standard income tax rates.
The tax rate in Virginia ranges from 2% to 5.75%, but ultimately depends on the total taxable income.
If this caught your attention, see: Virginia Estimated Tax Payments 2023 Online
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there states that don't tax 401k withdrawals?
Some states exempt or partially exempt 401(k) withdrawals from state tax, but the rules vary widely. Check your state's tax laws to see if 401(k) withdrawals are exempt or eligible for a credit.
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