If you are under the age of 59 1/2, you cannot withdraw funds from your 401(k) plan to purchase your first home without being subject to a 10 percent additional tax on early distributions from qualified retirement plans. However, depending on the rules for your 401(k) plan, you may be able to borrow money from your 401(k) to purchase your first home. Your plan administrator should have written information about your particular plan that explains when you can borrow funds from your 401(k) plan as well as other plan rules.

References:

• Publication 575, Pension and Annuity Income
• Publication 560, Retirement Plans for Small Business
• Tax Topic 424, 401(k) plans
• Tax Topic 558, Tax on early distributions from retirement plans