TWO RMDs in Same Year When Turning 70 ½

Submitted by Mark Zurblis on Mon, 2018-02-19 20:02

I can’t find an answer to my question anywhere including IRS Pub 590-B. My answer may be implied in 590-B, but I am not inferring anything from it that will answer the follow question.

QUESTION: My wife turned 70 ½ in the last half of 2017. We are both retired and I’ve opted to take her first two RMDs in 2018 because we will have no earned income in 2018 and the tax rate for us is lower in 2018 than it was in 2017. However, for her FIRST RMD to be taken by April 1, 2018:

Do I use the 2016 IRA year- end balance and distribution period age factor 26.5?

OR

Since I will actually be taking this first RMD in 2018, do I use the 2017 IRA year-end balance and distribution period age factor 25.6?

The second RMD to be taken by 12/31/2018 is easy enough, but how to take this first RMD is throwing me a curve. I’m at my wits’ end. Any help appreciated.

Thanks,



Submitted by William Tuttle on Mon, 2018-02-19 20:25

Even though it will be taxed in 2018, it is a 2017 tax year RMD. Therefore, it will use the 2016 year-end balance.

Submitted by Mark Zurblis on Mon, 2018-02-19 20:46

Thanks Spiritrider! I could find nowhere that there was an explicit example of my situation.

Submitted by Alan - IRA critic on Mon, 2018-02-19 21:10

See p 7 of Pub 590 B, example 1. It reflects your question exactly.

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