Do You Get a 1099-R for Your 401(k)? Distributions, Rollovers & Taxes
You get a Form 1099-R for your 401(k) when money comes out of the plan — a distribution, a rollover, or a required minimum distribution — not just for having an account. Here's who sends it, when, and what the codes on it mean.
Last updated June 9, 2026
When do you get a 1099-R for a 401(k)?
Form 1099-R reports distributions from retirement plans. You'll get one for a 401(k) for any of these in a given tax year (generally for amounts of $10 or more):
- Cashing out all or part of the account (after leaving a job, or an in-service withdrawal).
- A rollover to an IRA or another employer's plan — yes, even a direct rollover generates a 1099-R, usually with $0 taxable.
- A required minimum distribution (RMD) once you reach RMD age.
- A hardship withdrawal, or a loan that defaults and is treated as a deemed distribution.
When you do NOT get a 1099-R
You won't receive a 1099-R just for contributing to your 401(k) or for having a balance that grows during the year. An ordinary, still-outstanding plan loan is also not a 1099-R event — only a defaulted/deemed-distributed loan is.
Who sends it, and when
The 1099-R is issued by the plan's recordkeeper or custodian (the financial institution holding the account) — not usually your employer's HR department. The deadline to send it is January 31 of the year after the distribution. If you've moved and didn't get one, you'll need to reach the recordkeeper — see how to find a lost 401(k).
Box 7 distribution codes
The single most important field is Box 7, the distribution code, which tells the IRS how the money should be taxed:
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1 | Early distribution, no known exception (usually the 10% penalty applies) |
| 2 | Early distribution, exception applies (e.g. separation at 55+) — no penalty |
| 7 | Normal distribution (age 59½ or older) |
| G | Direct rollover to an IRA or another plan — generally $0 taxable |
| H | Direct rollover of a designated Roth account |
| 4 | Death — paid to a beneficiary |
| L | Loan treated as a deemed distribution (default) |
Rollovers and the 1099-R
A direct rollover (money moves trustee-to-trustee) shows code G and is reported but not taxable. A 60-day (indirect) rollover — where the check comes to you — has 20% withheld by the plan, and you must redeposit the full amount within 60 days to avoid tax and penalty. Either way, you'll still get a 1099-R reporting the distribution.
The recordkeeper issues your 1099-R. Look up your current or former employer's plan to see who runs it — straight from the public Form 5500.
Look up your employer's 401(k)Look up your employer's 401(k) plan
The recordkeeper that issues your 1099-R is named on the plan's Form 5500. Find your current or former employer's 401(k) to see who runs it.
| Plan / sponsor | Assets | Participants |
|---|---|---|
| WALMART INC. WALMART 401(K) PLAN · AR | $50.8B | 1,670,732 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES, LLC AMAZON 401(K) PLAN · WA | $34.6B | 1,207,759 |
| PAYCHEX RETIREMENT LLC PAYCHEX POOLED EMPLOYER 401(K) PLAN · NY | $1.8B | 621,703 |
| BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TEAMSTERS - UPS 401K NATIONAL SAVINGS PLAN THE TEAMSTER - UPS NATIONAL 401(K) TAX DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN · GA | $19.3B | 451,512 |
| TARGET CORPORATION TARGET CORPORATION 401(K) PLAN · MN | $14.4B | 427,999 |
| EXPRESS SERVICES, INC. EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS 401(K) RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN · OK | $2.5M | 400,408 |
| THE HOME DEPOT, INC. THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER · GA | $14.1B | 391,522 |
| THE KROGER CO. THE KROGER CO. 401(K) RETIREMENT SAVINGS ACCOUNT PLAN · OH | $11.8B | 380,891 |
| CVS HEALTH CORPORATION CVS HEALTH FUTURE FUND 401(K) PLAN · RI | $30.1B | 313,966 |
| HCA INC. HCA 401(K) PLAN · TN | $23.8B | 310,762 |
Frequently asked questions
Only when money leaves the plan — a distribution, rollover, RMD, hardship withdrawal, or a defaulted loan. You don't get a 1099-R just for contributing or for your balance growing.
Yes. Even a direct (trustee-to-trustee) rollover generates a 1099-R, usually coded G with $0 taxable. It reports the movement of funds; it doesn't necessarily mean you owe tax.
Plans must send Form 1099-R by January 31 of the year following the distribution. It comes from the plan's recordkeeper or custodian, not usually your employer.
No. Contributions and ordinary account growth aren't reported on a 1099-R. An outstanding plan loan isn't either — unless it defaults and becomes a deemed distribution.
The plan's recordkeeper or custodian — the financial institution that holds the account. You can find which firm that is by looking up the plan's Form 5500.
Box 7 code G means a direct rollover to an IRA or another eligible retirement plan. The distribution is reported but is generally not taxable.