# Form 4972

URL: https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/form-4972
Category: Tax Forms
Attributes: Trusted by lawyers

Form 4972 is used to calculate your taxes on a qualified lump-sum distribution, typically received from a pension or 401(k) plan, and potentially lower your tax liability.

You’ll find a printable Form 4972 on our website, where you can open it in our PDF editor with a single click. Then, read the instructions carefully, see whether you qualify, and type the information directly on the document.

## Versions

- 2025 — [download PDF](https://cdn.sanity.io/files/i16te7yp/production/99a0c41ea2bcdbb41c7f72a200cc636eeb24eb30.pdf)

## How to Fill Out a Form 4972

Step 1: Open Form 4972 in our PDF editor.

Step 2: Complete Part I to see if you should be using this form in the first place.

Step 3: Decide whether you’ll choose the 20% capital gain election, the 10-year tax option, or both.

Step 4: Fill out the appropriate section.

Step 5: Calculate your tax on the lump-sum distribution and include the amount on Form 1040.

Step 6: Attach this document to Form 1040 and submit it.

## Facts

### What Is the Form 4972?

Form 4972 is used to figure your taxes on a qualified lump-sum distribution received from a pension or profit-sharing fund. Since you can choose to be taxed using the 20% capital gain election, the 10-year tax option, or both, your tax liability may be lower than if you reported the distribution as regular income.

### Who Should Use the Form 4972?

Individuals who receive qualified lump-sum distributions and are born before 2nd January 1936 can use Form 4972 to report and calculate taxes. Furthermore, after their deaths, their beneficiaries should fill out this document if they received the distribution in their name.

### When Do You File the Form 4972?

You should file Form 4972 with your federal income tax return (Form 1040), which is due annually on 15th April. However, Form 4972 isn’t recurring; you submit it only for the year when you receive the distribution.

### What Are the Penalties For Not Filing the Form 4972?

There are no specific penalties for not filing Form 4972, as you can report your lump-sum distribution as regular income and pay taxes accordingly. However, you might lose an opportunity to lower your liability in that case.

### Where Do I File the Form 4972?

You should file Form 4972 with the IRS, either by mail or electronically. Whatever you choose, remember to attach it to Form 1040 and send it as a package.

## Related forms

- [Form 1099-R](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/form-1099-r)
- [Form 8915-F](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/financial-forms/form-8915-f)
- [Form 5329](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/form-5329)
- [1040 Form](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/1040-form)
- [Form 1040-SR](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/form-1040-sr)