Convert an inherited IRA to ROTH after RMDs have begun?

Can a wife who inherits a traditional IRA from her husband convert to a ROTH after taking RMDs?



Yes. The RMDs should be brought up to date including any that were not taken by the husband for both the year of his death and prior, and for the year the inherited IRA is converted to a Roth.

So then the RMDs are no longer required from the new ROTH?

Right. The new Roth is not subject to RMDs and is treated in all respects as a conversion contribution to the wife’s Roth. While there are no RMDs, the tax status of any distributions she may take is based on the ordering rules for Roth distributions or if she already has a Roth that is qualified for tax free distributions.

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