You may be able to elect optional methods of figuring the tax on lump-sum distributions you received from a qualified retirement plan.

A lump-sum distribution is the distribution or payment, within a single tax year, of an employee's entire balance from all of the employer's qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plans. The distribution must have been made under specific conditions. For details, refer to Tax Topic 412 which discusses Lump-Sum Distributions or Publication 575, Pension and Annuity Income.

References:

• Publication 575, Pension and Annuity Income
• Tax Topic 412, Lump-Sum distributions

Source: www.irs.gov