RMD for deceased spouse & RMD for Spouse Beneficiary

Submitted by Shirley Walters on Wed, 2023-01-18 16:42

I have a client whose wife (age 73 – DOB 7/11/1949) died on 8/8/2022 and she had been taking her required minimum distributions in prior years, but had not taken her 2022 RMD at the date of her death. Her husband whose date of birth is 9/1/1950 did a transfer of assets from her two IRA’s to a new Traditional IRA in his name on 9/12/2022. A distribution for his wife’s 2022 RMDs was made from his new Traditional IRA on 12/22/2022.

Since he took his wife’s 2022 RMD on 12/22/2002 from his new Traditional IRA, is he also required to take a 2022 RMD from this same Traditional IRA since he turned 72 on 9/1/1950?

In 2023, will he be required to take his RMD based on his life expectancy? The account is not registered as a Beneficiary IRA.



Submitted by Alan - IRA critic on Wed, 2023-01-18 16:58

  • Since 2022 is husband’s first RMD distribution year, he has until 4/1/2023 to complete his RMD based on his 12/31/2021 IRA balance which did not include the spousal rollover. It does not matter whether he treats the 12/22/2022 distribution as wife’s RMD or his own, because he must complete his 2022 RMD by 4/1 and must complete his wife’s by 4/18 or 10/16 if he files an extension. Therefore, the amount of taxable income for 2023 will be the same if he meets these deadlines. He must also complete his 2023 RMD in 2023.
  • Since 2022 was the final year they could file jointly, it would probably have been better to have completed his 2022 RMD in 2022, leaving only his 2023 RMD for 2023 to be taxed using single filer rates.

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