@BlueRump - agree it is not taxed @3.8%, but it can 'push' your unearned income to be taxed @3.8%
Assume filing single with total income of $160,000 including unearned income of $10,000. There is no NIIT
But then I do an IRA conversion to my Roth (or a distribution - it doesn't matter) for $50,000
Now my total income is $210,000 and the $10,000 of unearned income is taxed @ 3.8%,
My earlier point is when determining the tax impact of taking a conversion, it may have a "knock on" effect to other taxes that some fail to consider.
