How are distributions from a qualified retirement plan typically taxed?

Distributions from a qualified retirement plan are generally taxed based on the tax treatment of the contributions made to the plan. When individuals contribute to a qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or traditional IRA, their contributions are often made pre-tax, meaning they have not yet been taxed. Therefore, when distributions are taken from the plan during retirement, those funds are subject to ordinary income tax, as they are considered to be income for the year in which they are withdrawn.

However, if a participant made contributions to the qualified plan that were after-tax (sometimes referred to as "Roth" contributions in the case of Roth IRAs), the distributions from those contributions can be received tax-free. This dual treatment is why the correct answer indicates that distributions may be received tax-free only if previously taxed contributions were made. In essence, it's all about the nature of the contributions—whether taxes were paid on them before they were contributed or if they remain tax-deferred until withdrawal.

This distinction is crucial for understanding how and when tax liabilities arise from retirement accounts, affecting planning for financial distributions during retirement. Consequently, the taxation of distributions is not a straightforward matter of being always taxable or tax-free; it hinges on the specific contributions made to the plan.