Inherited IRA and QCDs

I have a client that was married, husband was RMD age, wife is only 64. Husband has passed away. Husband used the RMDs as charitable distributions to their church. Wife would like to continue doing that although she is under RMD age. She is thinking instead of rolling his IRAs into hers (and would not be able to do QCDs because she is under RMD age) that she can do the inherited IRA and use those “RMDs” as charitable distributions so that she can get the tax advantage. Is that permitted or is she out of luck from all QCD regardless of it coming from an IRA or Bene IRA since she is under RMD age?



  • A QCD can only be done after reaching 70.5, whether from an owned IRA or inherited IRA. Since she is over 59.5, she might as well do the spousal rollover of the inherited IRA to her own IRA. If husband passed this year, there is no year of death RMD that needs to be completed before doing the spousal rollover. QCDs will have to wait until she actually reaches 70.5, and she can do them then even though for her RMDs start at 72.
  • While there is only a couple days left, if this is the last year she can file jointly, she might consider doing a Roth conversion since her tax rate will increase once she files single status.

Add new comment

Log in or register to post comments