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Ed Slott was named "The Best" source for IRA advice by The Wall Street Journal and called "America's IRA Expert" by Mutual Funds Magazine. He is a widely recognized professional speaker and educator specializing in retirement distribution planning, teaching both financial advisors and consumers how to best take advantage of our complicated tax code.
-- Have something you want to ask Ed? Send your questions to mailbag@irahelp.com
This week, IRA expert Ed Slott addresses questions about the tax implications resulting from tapping into Roth IRAs and the timing of required minimum distributions.
Question 1:
Happy New Year. I get your regular updates from http://www.irahelp.com/ and http://www.theslottreport.com/ and they are great!
I may need to access around $11,000 from my Roth IRA, and I want to understand what the cost, fees and tax implications (if any) are. I spoke to a rep over the weekend and he said possibly re-characterizing the conversion could be helpful. Further, he suggested going to irs.gov and researching pub 590 (page 60 chapter 2) as it kind of spells out what the implications would be pertaining to my proposed scenario. So, besides a sales charge, 10% withdrawal penalty and taxes on earnings, what roughly total costs would I be saddled with if I access this money?
If memory serves me correctly, I converted the IRA to Roth in 2010 and my accountant is spreading the taxes over two years. This may or may not effect what I am trying to do.
Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jason De Ruggiero
Answer:
You should look at IRS Pub. 590 as it outlines the rules about recharacterizations and when you can and cannot recharacterize.
If you converted to a Roth in 2010 you had up to October 15, 2011 to recharacterize.
If you have had any Roth IRA established for 5 years and you are over age 59 1/2 there is no problem accessing any funds in your Roth IRA. You can always withdraw a converted amount without incurring a penalty or income taxes if the requirements mentioned above are met. It is generally the earnings in the Roth account that cannot be accessed without income taxes unless certain requirements are met. The ordering rules state that when taking withdrawals all Roth IRAs are considered one account. All contributions are considered to come out first, then converted amounts (first in, first out) and lastly earnings. We can’t be more specific on your situation without knowing what amounts have gone into your Roth accounts, if those amounts were contributions or conversions, your age, and when your first Roth IRA was established.
Question 2:
If a 71-year-old is fully employed this year, contributing to their 401(k), when must they take their first RMD? I have read it’s the year after they retire. If that’s true, do they have to take two distributions (April and December) that year? How long can they delay taking an RMD if they are fully employed? I have read one has to take a distribution the year they turn 75.
Thank you for your help!
Answer:
If you are less than a 5% owner of the company, are still working after age 70 ½, and if the employer plan allows, then you would not have to commence RMDs until the year you separate from service. You should check the plan document or summary plan description to see if the plan has that provision in it. The first RMD is due for the year of separation from service and can be deferred until April 1 of the following year. If it is deferred, then two distributions will have to come out in that year. I believe the age 75 you mentioned applies only to 403(b) plans. In a 403(b) plan, balances prior to 1/1/86 don't have to be used for calculating RMDs at age 70 1/2. Those balances will then be added back in for RMDs when the participant attains age 75.
Question 3:
Good afternoon Ed!
Here are the facts: A 61-year-old taxpayer converted his traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 2010. In January 2012, he withdraws the entire amount of the converted IRA including contributions, conversion amounts, and earnings.
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