Roth IRA Conversions: Why All the Fuss?
A quick Google search for Roth IRA conversions yields about 350,000 hits, and there have been a significant number of articles in the financial media about them. With the help of John Corn, my colleague at Buckingham Asset Management, we're going to explore Roth IRA conversions so you can better understand whether this may make sense for you.
The reason these conversions have become a big deal is because the rules have changed regarding who can convert a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. Previously, you couldn't make such a conversion if you had income in excess of $100,000. On Jan. 1, the conversion limit disappeared.
Remember, the money you put into a traditional IRA is tax deductible, but is taxed on withdrawal. For a Roth, the opposite is true -- you invest money that you've already paid taxes on, but your withdrawals are tax free.
The government certainly wouldn't let you convert money that has been deducted from taxes into an account where withdrawals are tax free without getting its share. Thus, you'll owe taxes on any amounts you decide to convert.
However, only for 2010, there is a special tax consideration. If you convert next year, you have the option to stretch your resulting tax liabilities over two years, paying half on your 2011 tax return (due April 15, 2012) and the other half on your 2012 tax return (due April 15, 2013). Any conversions occurring after 2010 will have to see the resulting tax liabilities owed in the same tax year.
Tomorrow, we'll look at how Roth IRA conversions work.
Follow the series: Roth IRA Conversions
- Part one: Why All the Fuss?
- Part two: How They Work
- Part three: What to Consider
- Part four: Conversion Questions
- Part five: Summary