Thanks for your reply. I had asked the custodian (brokerage) to calculate it for me. They gave me a range, and I went with the highest number--they said they cannot figure it it exactly.
However, just yesterday I used the calculator on their site, and the amount the calculator showed was about half what they said, so half what I took out.
Possibly the custodian didn't pay attention to my saying the date of death was prior to 2019, when there was a rules change that would affect the amount.
I just looked at Pub 550B and it doesn't seem to relate to IRAs.
When you say "The shortfall you are requesting to be waived is the actual RMD amount." Yes, but what I need waived is the 50% penalty on that amount.
If they take a 50% penalty on the entire amount, that's a double penalty. I don't know how much to go into it in the letter. Should I say the amount was an error, or just that I took out more, and say the calculator amount, or just not mention it? I may call the custodian again to ask for more help. From now on in calculating, it though, I will not ask them. Initially, they were glad to help and had a dept. that did that, but in the past few years they acted a little weird about it and said to use the calculator. I said I'd feel better if they did it.
