The non-deductible contributions cannot be converted in isolation from any other existing traditional and rollover IRA(s). It's best explained by example. Let's say you have a $10,000 balance in all your existing traditional IRAs and that balance consist of $3,000 in deductible contributions, $2,000 in previous non-deductible contributions and $5,000 in earnings (interest, dividends & capital gains). Your basis, in all your IRAs, is $2,000. This year you convert $5000 to a Roth. Only 20% of the $5000 conversion ($1000) will be tax free . TurboTax will divide that $2,000 basis by the $10,000 balance to arrive at the 20% tax free ratio. $4,000 of the conversion will be taxable.
