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The Daily Insight

How do I withdraw a Roth IRA contribution?

Author

Andrew Ramirez

Published Feb 24, 2026

To cancel a Roth IRA contribution, you have to take out what you contributed plus any earnings accrued while the money was in the Roth IRA. If you lost money, you only have to withdraw your contribution minus the losses.

Why do I need form 5498?

The information on Form 5498 is submitted to the IRS by the trustee or issuer of your individual retirement arrangement (IRA) to report contributions, including any catch-up contributions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and the fair market value (FMV) of the account.

Does Form 5498 get reported to the IRS?

Form 5498: IRA Contributions Information reports your IRA contributions to the IRS. Your IRA trustee or issuer—not you—is required to file this form with the IRS, usually by May 31. You won’t find this form in TurboTax, nor do you file it with your tax return.

When do you have to take a withdrawal from a Roth IRA?

Withdrawals must be taken after age 59½. Withdrawals must be taken after a five-year holding period. There are exceptions to the early withdrawal penalty, such as a first-time home purchase, college expenses, and birth or adoption expenses.

What can I use my Roth IRA money for?

You use the withdrawal to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses or health insurance if you’re unemployed. Withdrawals from a Roth IRA you’ve had more than five years. You use the withdrawal (up to a $10,000 lifetime maximum) to pay for a first-time home purchase. You use the withdrawal to pay for qualified education expenses.

What’s the maximum amount you can withdraw from a Roth IRA?

Withdrawals from a Roth IRA you’ve had more than five years. You use the withdrawal (up to a $10,000 lifetime maximum) to pay for a first-time home purchase. You use the withdrawal to pay for qualified education expenses. You use the withdrawal for qualified expenses related to a birth or adoption.

Do you have to pay taxes on Roth IRA contributions?

With a Roth IRA, contributions are not tax-deductible With a Roth IRA, contributions are not tax-deductible, but earnings can grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals are tax- and penalty-free. Roth IRA withdrawal and penalty rules vary depending on your age and how long you’ve had the account and other factors.