ROTH CONVERSION DEADLINE AND HSA COVERAGE: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG

By Ian Berger, JD
IRA Analyst
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport

Question:

In a recent blog post, you said that the deadline for contributing to a Roth IRA for 2022 is April 18, 2023.  Does that include converting a traditional IRA to a Roth?

Answer:

You can make a prior-year traditional IRA or Roth IRA contribution but you cannot do a prior-year Roth conversion. So, you don’t get the extra time to do a Roth conversion and consider it a 2022 conversion. For a Roth conversion to count as taxable income for 2022, the traditional IRA distribution would have had to occur by December 31, 2022. If the traditional IRA distribution occurs anytime in 2023, the Roth conversion would be considered taxable income for 2023.

Question:

If you have a single HSA (health savings account) plan, can you use the funds for only your eligible medical expenses? Do you need a family plan to include your spouse and dependents expenses also?

Jim

Answer:

Hi Jim,

You must be covered by a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to be eligible for an HSA. If you are the only one covered by the HDHP, you are eligible for a “self-only” (or individual) HSA. If someone else is also covered by the HDHP, then you qualify for a “family” HSA.

An HSA can be used for family members’ medical expenses, even if they are not covered by a HDHP. Let’s say you only have a self-only HSA because your spouse and dependents aren’t on your health insurance plan. You can still withdraw funds from your HSA for “qualified medical expenses” that your spouse or dependents incur.

The Last Episode of Season 1 of The Great Retirement Debate Airs Today!

In this season’s final episode of the Great Retirement Debate, Ed and Jeffrey discuss the topics covered over the last 18 episodes and what to expect from The Great Retirement Debate going forward.

You can stream The Great Retirement Debate at greatretirementdebate.com or on all major streaming platforms.