Ask Terry Questions Rolling IRA into Roth IRA DEADLINE??

Rolling IRA into Roth IRA DEADLINE??

By Terry Savage on January 26, 2020 | Financial Planning / Retirement

Terry, I deposited the max $6500 into an IRA thru my Credit Union in June of 2019. I do need to convert to a Roth IRA due to income. I thought the deadline was next tax day April 15, 2020 but now I heard I should have done it by December 31, 2019. Did I screw this up??? ????

Terry Says

Well, I really don’t understand your question. If you were over age 70-1/2 last year, then you should have taken a Required Minimum Distribution. Do it now!
I don’t know why you feel you need to convert to a Roth “due to income.” Perhaps you don’t want to take future RMDs to add to your annual income because that amount increases the Medicare premiums you must pay. It’s true that if you convert to a Roth you won’t be required to make withdrawals. BUT, you must pay ordinary income taxes at the time of the conversion. And that huge amount will be added to your ordinary income tax rate at the time of conversion. Plus, you’ll need money to pay those taxes –money OUTSIDE your new Roth IRA!
AND, you mast take your RMD (if you’re over 70-1/2) BEFORE you do the conversion.
You can do a Roth conversion at any time — there is no deadline during the year.

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