Title 26, Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-110

§3405 Special Rules for Pensions, Annuities, and Certain Other Deferred Income

Title 26 › Subtitle C — Employment Taxes › CHAPTER 24 — COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX AT SOURCE ON WAGES › § 3405

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Payors must take taxes out of retirement, annuity, and similar deferred-pay checks, but the amount depends on the kind of payment. Regular periodic payments are taxed like wages and the payor must withhold the same amount as if they were payroll taxes, unless the recipient chooses to stop withholding. That choice stays in effect until the recipient revokes it and it takes effect when the IRS rules say. One-time or nonperiodic distributions are normally subject to 10% withholding, but the recipient can opt out for each distribution (or, if rules allow, for later distributions from the same plan). If a payment is an eligible rollover distribution, the payor must withhold 20% unless the recipient directs the money go straight into another eligible retirement plan. The payor is generally responsible for withholding and paying the tax. For many employer plans, the plan administrator must withhold instead unless the administrator tells the payor to do it and gives required information. Payors must also tell recipients about their withholding choices (timing rules include a notice 6 months to the first payment, at the first payment, and at least once a year for periodic payments; notice at distribution for nonperiodic). Key terms in one line each: designated distribution = payments from employer deferred compensation plans, individual retirement plans, or commercial annuities (with some exceptions); periodic payment = annuity-like recurring payment; nonperiodic distribution = other one-time payments; employer deferred compensation plan = pension, annuity, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or similar plan; commercial annuity = insurance company annuity or life contract; plan administrator = the person who runs the plan; maximum withholding = cannot exceed the cash plus fair market value of property received (no withholding if only employer stock and up to $200 cash); separate arrangements are treated separately; if the payee fails to give a correct taxpayer ID number, withholding elections don’t apply; elections generally can’t be made for payments sent outside the U.S. unless the recipient certifies foreign status.

Full Legal Text

Title 26, §3405

Internal Revenue Code, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Periodic payments
(1)Withholding as if payment were wages
The payor of any periodic payment (as defined in subsection (e)(2)) shall withhold from such payment the amount which would be required to be withheld from such payment if such payment were a payment of wages by an employer to an employee for the appropriate payroll period.
(2)Election of no withholding
An individual may elect to have paragraph (1) not apply with respect to periodic payments made to such individual. Such an election shall remain in effect until revoked by such individual.
(3)When election takes effect
Any election under this subsection (and any revocation of such an election) shall take effect as provided by subsection (f)(3) of section 3402 for withholding allowance certificates.
(4)Amount withheld where no withholding allowance certificate in effect
In the case of any payment with respect to which a withholding allowance certificate is not in effect, the amount withheld under paragraph (1) shall be determined under rules prescribed by the Secretary.
(b)Nonperiodic distribution
(1)Withholding
The payor of any nonperiodic distribution (as defined in subsection (e)(3)) shall withhold from such distribution an amount equal to 10 percent of such distribution.
(2)Election of no withholding
(A)In general
An individual may elect not to have paragraph (1) apply with respect to any nonperiodic distribution.
(B)Scope of election
An election under subparagraph (A)—
(i)except as provided in clause (ii), shall be on a distribution-by-distribution basis, or
(ii)to the extent provided in regulations, may apply to subsequent nonperi­odic distributions made by the payor to the payee under the same arrangement.
(c)Eligible rollover distributions
(1)In general
In the case of any designated distribution which is an eligible rollover distribution—
(A)subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply, and
(B)the payor of such distribution shall withhold from such distribution an amount equal to 20 percent of such distribution.
(2)Exception
Paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply to any distribution if the distributee elects under section 401(a)(31)(A) to have such distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement plan.
(3)Eligible rollover distribution
For purposes of this subsection, the term “eligible rollover distribution” has the meaning given such term by section 402(f)(2)(A).
(d)Liability for withholding
(1)In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the payor of a designated distribution (as defined in subsection (e)(1)) shall withhold, and be liable for, payment of the tax required to be withheld under this section.
(2)Plan administrator liable in certain cases
(A)In general
In the case of any plan to which this paragraph applies, paragraph (1) shall not apply and the plan administrator shall withhold, and be liable for, payment of the tax unless the plan administrator— (i)
(ii)provides the payor with such information as the Secretary may require by regulations.
(B)Plans to which paragraph applies
This paragraph applies to any plan described in, or which at any time has been determined to be described in— (i)
(ii)section 403(a),
(iii)section 301(d) of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975, or
(iv)section 457(b) and which is maintained by an eligible employer described in section 457(e)(1)(A).
(e)Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section
(1) Designated distribution
(2)Periodic payment
The term “periodic payment” means a designated distribution which is an annuity or similar periodic payment.
(3)Nonperiodic distribution
The term “nonperiodic distribution” means any designated distribution which is not a periodic payment.
[(4)Repealed. Pub. L. 102–318, title V, § 521(b)(38), July 3, 1992, 106 Stat. 312]
(5)Employer deferred compensation plan
The term “employer deferred compensation plan” means any pension, annuity, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan or other plan deferring the receipt of compensation.
(6)Commercial annuity
The term “commercial annuity” means an annuity, endowment, or life insurance contract issued by an insurance company licensed to do business under the laws of any State.
(7)Plan administrator (8) Maximum amount withheld
The term “plan administrator” has the meaning given such term by section 414(g).
(9)Separate arrangements to be treated separately
If the payor has more than 1 arrangement under which designated distributions may be made to any individual, each such arrangement shall be treated separately.
(10)Time and manner of election
(A)In general
Any election and any revocation under this section shall be made at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe.
(B)Payor required to notify payee of rights to elect
(i)Periodic payments
The payor of any periodic payment—
(I)shall transmit to the payee notice of the right to make an election under subsection (a) not earlier than 6 months before the first of such payments and not later than when making the first of such payments,
(II)if such a notice is not transmitted under subclause (I) when making such first payment, shall transmit such a notice when making such first payment, and
(III)shall transmit to payees, not less frequently than once each calendar year, notice of their rights to make elections under subsection (a) and to revoke such elections.
(ii)Nonperiodic distributions
The payor of any nonperiodic distribution shall transmit to the payee notice of the right to make any election provided in subsection (b) at the time of the distribution (or at such earlier time as may be provided in regulations).
(iii)Notice
Any notice transmitted pursuant to this subparagraph shall be in such form and contain such information as the Secretary shall prescribe.
(11)Withholding includes deduction
The terms “withholding”, “withhold”, and “withheld” include “deducting”, “deduct”, and “deducted”.
(12)Failure to provide correct TIN (13) Election may not be made with respect to certain payments outside the United States or its possessions
If—
(A)a payee fails to furnish his TIN to the payor in the manner required by the Secretary, or
(B)the Secretary notifies the payor before any payment or distribution that the TIN furnished by the payee is incorrect,
no election under subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) shall be treated as in effect and subsection (a)(4) shall not apply to such payee.
(f)Withholding to be treated as wage withholding under section 3402 for other purposes
For purposes of this chapter (and so much of subtitle F as relates to this chapter)—
(1)any designated distribution (whether or not an election under this section applies to such distribution) shall be treated as if it were wages paid by an employer to an employee with respect to which there has been withholding under section 3402, and
(2)in the case of any designated distribution not subject to withholding under this section by reason of an election under this section, the amount withheld shall be treated as zero.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 301(d) of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B)(iii), is section 301(d) of Pub. L. 94–12, Mar. 29, 1975, 89 Stat. 26, relating to plan requirements for taxpayers electing additional credits, which was set out as a note under section 46 of this title and was repealed by Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 141(f)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2795.

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 115–97, § 11041(c)(2)(F), substituted “allowance” for “exemption”. Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 115–97, in heading, substituted “allowance” for “exemption” and in text, substituted “allowance” for “exemption” and “shall be determined under rules prescribed by the Secretary” for “shall be determined by treating the payee as a married individual claiming 3 withholding exemptions”. 2001—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(a)(1)(D)(ii), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘eligible rollover distribution’ has the meaning given such term by section 402(f)(2)(A) (or in the case of an annuity contract under section 403(b), a distribution from such contract described in section 402(f)(2)(A)).” Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(a)(1)(D)(iii), added cl. (iv). 2000—Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 106–554 inserted “(other than a Roth IRA)” after “individual retirement plan” in concluding provisions. 1996—Subsec. (e)(12). Pub. L. 104–188 substituted “(b)(2)” for “(b)(3)” in closing provisions. 1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(b)(36), substituted “Periodic payments” for “Pensions, annuities, etc.” in heading. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 102–318, § 522(b)(2)(A), substituted “subsection (e)(2)” for “subsection (d)(2)”. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102–318, §§ 521(b)(37)(A), 522(b)(2)(B), substituted “subsection (e)(3)” for “subsection (d)(3)” and “an amount equal to 10 percent of such distribution” for “the amount determined under paragraph (2)”. Subsec. (b)(2), (3). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(b)(37)(B), redesignated par. (3) as (2) and struck out former par. (2) which related to amount of withholding. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–318, § 522(b)(1), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–318, § 522(b)(1), (2)(C), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d) and substituted “subsection (e)(1)” for “subsection (d)(1)” in par. (1). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(b)(40), substituted “(b)(2)” for “(b)(3)” in par. (13)(A). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(b)(39), amended par. (8) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (8) read as follows: “The maximum amount to be withheld under this section on any designated distribution shall not exceed the sum of the amount of money and the fair market value of other property (other than employer securities of the employer corporation (within the meaning of section 402(a)(3))) received in the distribution. No amount shall be required to be withheld under this section in the case of any designated distribution which consists only of employer securities of the employer corporation (within the meaning of section 402(a)(3)) and cash (not in excess of $200) in lieu of fractional shares.” Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(b)(38), struck out par. (4) which defined “qualified total distribution” and provided special rule for accumulated deductible employee contributions in determining qualified total distribution. Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 102–318, § 522(b)(1), redesignated subsecs. (d) and (e) as (e) and (f), respectively. 1988—Subsec. (d)(13). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1012(bb)(2)(C), substituted “United States or its possessions” for “United States” in heading. Subsec. (d)(13)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1012(bb)(2)(A), substituted “the United States and any possession of the United States” for “the United States”. Subsec. (d)(13)(B)(i). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1012(bb)(2)(B), amended cl. (i) generally, substituting “or a resident alien of the United States” for “who is a bona fide resident of a foreign country”. 1986—Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1102(e)(1), inserted last sentence for “For purposes of clause (ii), any distribution or payment from or under an individual retirement plan shall be treated as includible in gross income.” Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1875(c)(10), reenacted cl. (iii) relating to amounts subject to withholding under subchapter A of chapter 3 as cl. (iii) and reenacted cl. (iii) relating to distribution described in section 404(k)(2) as cl. (iv). Subsec. (d)(13). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1234(b)(1), added par. (13). 1984—Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 98–369, § 714(j)(1), substituted “nonperiodic distribution” for “distribution described in subparagraph (B)” and “subparagraph (A) or (B) (as the case may be) shall be applied by taking into account” for “the Secretary, in prescribing tables or procedures under paragraph (1), shall take into account”, designated phrase “which is made by reason of a participant’s death” as cl. (i) and added cl. (ii). Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 98–369, § 714(j)(4), added cl. (iii) relating to amounts subject to withholding under subchapter A of chapter 3. Pub. L. 98–369, § 542(c), added cl. (iii) relating to distributions described in section 404(k)(2). Directory language that section (d)(1)(B) be amended by striking out “and” at end of cl. (i) and substituting “, or” for the period at end of cl. (ii) could not be executed in view of prior amendment by section 714(j)(4) of Pub. L. 98–369, which struck out “and” at end of cl. (i) and substituted “, and” for the period at end of cl. (ii). Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 98–369, § 714(j)(5), freed from withholding requirement any designated distribution which consists only of employer securities of the employer corporation (within the meaning of section 402(a)(3)) and cash (not in excess of $200) in lieu of fractional shares. Subsec. (d)(12). Pub. L. 98–369, § 722(h)(4), added par. (12).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2017 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, see section 11041(f)(1) of Pub. L. 115–97, set out as a note under section 151 of this title.

Effective Date

of 2001 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 107–16 applicable to distributions after Dec. 31, 2001, see section 641(f)(1) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.

Effective Date

of 2000 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 106–554 effective as if included in the provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 1(a)(7) [title III, § 314(g)] of Pub. L. 106–554, set out as a note under section 56 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1992 AmendmentAmendment by section 521(b)(36)–(40) of Pub. L. 102–318 applicable to distributions after Dec. 31, 1992, see section 521(e) of Pub. L. 102–318, set out as a note under section 402 of this title. Amendment by section 522(b)(1)–(2)(C) of Pub. L. 102–318 applicable, except as otherwise provided, to distributions after Dec. 31, 1992, see section 522(d) of Pub. L. 102–318, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1988 Amendment Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1012(bb)(2)(D), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3534, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this paragraph [amending this section] shall apply to distributions made after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1988].”

Effective Date

of 1986 AmendmentAmendment by section 1102(e)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to contributions and distributions for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, see section 1102(g) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 219 of this title. Pub. L. 99–514, title XII, § 1234(b)(2), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2566, provided that: “The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to payments after December 31, 1986.” Amendment by section 1875(c)(10) of Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by section 542(c) of Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to taxable years beginning after July 18, 1984, see section 542(d) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 404 of this title. Amendment by section 714(j)(1), (4), (5) of Pub. L. 98–369 effective as if included in the provision of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Pub. L. 97–248, to which such amendment relates, see section 715 of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 31 of this title. Amendment by section 722(h)(4)(A) of Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to payments or distributions after Dec. 31, 1984, unless the payor elects to have such amendment apply to payments or distributions before Jan. 1, 1985, see section 722(h)(5)(B) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 643 of this title.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 97–248, title III, § 334(e), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 627, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: “(1) Amendment made by subsections (a) and (d).—Except as provided in paragraph (4), the amendment made by subsections (a) [enacting this section] and (d) [amending section 3402 of this title] shall apply to payments or other distributions made after December 31, 1982. “(2)

Amendments

made by subsection (b).—Except as provided in paragraph (4), the

Amendments

made by subsection (b) [amending section 6047 of this title] shall take effect on January 1, 1983. “(3)

Amendments

made by subsection (c).—The

Amendments

made by subsection (c) [enacting section 6704 of this title] shall take effect on
January 1, 1985. “(4) Periodic payments beginning before january 1, 1983.—For purposes of section 3405(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], in the case of periodic payments beginning before
January 1, 1983, the first periodic payment after
December 31, 1982, shall be treated as the first such periodic payment. “(5) Delay in application.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe such

Regulations

which delay (but not beyond June 30, 1983) the application of some or all of the

Amendments

made by this section with respect to any payor until such time as such payor is able to comply without undue hardship with the requirements of such provisions. “(6) Waiver of penalty.—No penalty shall be assessed under section 6672 with respect to any failure to withhold as required by the

Amendments

made by this section if such failure was before July 1, 1983, and if the person made a good faith effort to comply with such withholding requirements.” Plan

Amendments

Not Required Until January 1, 1994For provisions directing that if any

Amendments

made by subtitle B [§§ 521–523] of title V of Pub. L. 102–318 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1994, see section 523 of Pub. L. 102–318, set out as a note under section 401 of this title. Plan

Amendments

Not Required Until January 1, 1989For provisions directing that if any

Amendments

made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

26 U.S.C. § 3405

Title 26, Internal Revenue Code

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110