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November 23, 2020
Question

Tax on Proposed Roth Distribution

  • November 23, 2020
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

Been a Turbo Tax User for years.  I opened a Roth account in 2016, funding it with $5k converted from my Traditional IRA.  Converted another $5K into that Roth account in 2017, then another $20K conversion in 2020.  Since the conversions, investments in the Roth account have earned about $15K, almost all of it in 2020; so the balance now totals $45K.  The Roth account becomes qualified for tax-free distributions in 2021 (I'm past 59 1/2 yo).  How much can I take out in 2021 tax-free?  Since the Roth account itself will become qualified in 2021, can I take out the entire balance, earnings included, at that time?  Will my broker report it, and if so, how?  Many thanks.

    1 reply

    macuser_22
    Employee
    November 23, 2020

    If you are thinking about the 5 year rule, then there are two rules.    Your regular contributions to a Roth become qualified after 5 years from the time any Roth IRA is opened so distribution of your *contributions* are tax and penalty free after 5 years, however each *conversion* to a Roth has it's own 5 year clock that start on the date of the conversion.  a 2020 conversion will not be qualified until 2025.    Once you turn age 59 1/2 then there is no longer any early distribution penalty at all but the 5 year clock for taxable earnings still apply.

     

    See IRS Pub 590B  https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b

    Distributions of conversion and certain rollover contributions within 5-year period.

    If, within the 5-year period starting with the first day of your tax year in which you convert an amount from a traditional IRA or roll over an amount from a qualified retirement plan to a Roth IRA, you take a distribution from a Roth IRA, you may have to pay the 10% additional tax on early distributions. You must generally pay the 10% additional tax on any amount attributable to the part of the amount converted or rolled over (the conversion or rollover contribution) that you had to include in income (recapture amount). A separate 5-year period applies to each conversion and rollover. See Ordering Rules for Distributions , later, to determine the recapture amount, if any.

     

    **Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**