I turned 72 this year too. You have to start taking the RMD when you turn 73 . So January 2026 would be the earliest. Although you can delay taking the first year RMD until April 1 of the next year 2027. But what I started doing is taking QCD Qualified Charity Distributions from my IRA. That will reduce your balance but not be taxable. You can do QCD when you are 70 1/2. A QCD will also count for your RMD and not be taxable.
