A trustee-to-trustee transfer of rollover funds in a qualified plan allows a participant to avoid:

• A. Reporting the transfer as a taxable event on their tax return
• B. Paying future taxes on investment earnings
• C. Current income tax liability on the transferred amount
• D. Early withdrawal penalties regardless of age

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a trustee-to-trustee transfer: This type of transfer occurs when funds are moved directly from one qualified retirement plan to another without the participant taking possession of the funds. It is designed to maintain the tax-advantaged status of the funds.
2. Review the tax implications: A trustee-to-trustee transfer ensures that the participant does not need to report the transfer as a taxable event on their tax return, avoiding current income tax liability on the transferred amount.
3. Consider the avoidance of penalties: Since the funds are not withdrawn directly by the participant, early withdrawal penalties (which typically apply to distributions taken before age 59½) are avoided.
4. Clarify the treatment of investment earnings: While the transfer itself avoids current income tax liability, future taxes on investment earnings within the qualified plan will still apply when distributions are eventually taken.
5. Summarize the benefits: The trustee-to-trustee transfer is beneficial because it preserves the tax-deferred status of the funds, avoids current income tax liability, and prevents early withdrawal penalties, ensuring compliance with tax regulations.