The Slott Report

When Does the Roth IRA 5-Year Clock Begin?

For anyone who did a Roth IRA conversion in 2010, you have now fulfilled the 5-year waiting period for taking penalty-free distributions from your 2010 Roth conversion. You have also passed one test for taking a qualified distribution. Here's what else you need to know about the Roth IRA 5-year clock.

Can I Start Taking RMDs Then Stop if I Resume Working?

In this week's Slott Report Mailbag we answer questions on (dreaded) excess IRA contributions and the penalties involved as well as whether an individual can start taking RMDs (required minimum distributions) only to start working again and halt taking them.

The Tax Consequences on Your Super Bowl XLIX Betting

If you’re one of the millions of Americans that will have some type of money riding on this weekend’s big game, your gambling wager could have both tax and IRA planning consequences. We break down what happens if you win or lose plus a prediction for Super Bowl XLIX.

Updated IRS Publications Now Available

IRS has updated several retirement-related publications. They are now available on the IRS website, www.irs.gov under Forms and Pubs. They will all say that they are updated for 2014 so you can use them in preparing your 2014 federal income tax return. However, they also will have the current contribution limits and other necessary information for this year.

Estate Tax or Step-up in Basis…Pick One!

Today, federal estate tax has become a non-issue for all but the wealthiest of American families. As has been the case since the early 1980s, spouses can generally leave an unlimited amount of assets to one another without such a transfer being subject to estate tax. Most transfers to someone other than a spouse also avoid estate tax under current law. But will it stay that way?

The Process of Moving Company Plan Funds to a Roth IRA

When we think of retirement plan rollovers, we usually think about moving money between IRAs, or moving money from a company retirement plan to an IRA on a tax-free basis. For example, if you properly roll over money within 60 days from your IRA to another IRA or from your Roth IRA to another Roth IRA, the rollover is tax-free. Or maybe you retired and rolled over your 401(k) funds to your IRA. That rollover is also tax-free. But there is one type of rollover that is taxable.

Did You Miss an RMD in 2014? 3 Steps to Fix This

We spent the early part of the week looking at both sides of when you should take your RMD (early or late in the year). However, if you waited until the end of the year and then missed taking your RMD, here's how to correct it.

Does a Roth Conversion Affect My Medicare Premium?

This week's Slott Report Mailbag answers questions on how Roth conversions affect Medicare premiums, how the rules governing IRA rollovers have changed for 2015 and what individuals who converted to Roth IRAs in 2010 are now free to do with the funds.

The Case For and Against Taking Your RMD Early in the Year

One of the most common questions that an IRA owner subject to RMDs (required minimum distributions) asks is, "When should I take my RMD? Is it better to take the RMD early in the year? Later in the year?" There’s really no right or wrong answer, but rather, depending on your personal situation, either might make sense. Here are a few factors to consider when making your decision.