Form 5329

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Hello,
My wife and I missed the RMD for an account left by her father (the account had about $15K in 2005).
Now, after we RMD the entire account, I have to submit a form 5329 for every year.
Questions:
1. I found a form 5329 but it has 2025 in the upper right corner. Can we file this form (that has 2025) for each year where we missed RMD?
2. Is there a sample 5329 somewhere where I can just replace the number with our numbers? The form is complicated for someone who has not background in accounting or tax.
3. Can I submit all 20 5329 forms in one envelop? Or they have to be mailed separately, each 5329 in a different envelop?
TIA

NCperson

Level 15

all the prior year forms are available here:

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/prior-year

be aware that there was no RMD in 2009 or 2020; further the divisor table changed in 2022.

Who was the account left to? Both of you or just one of you? it makes a difference. If left to both of you, the divisor uses the age of the oldest of the two of you as of 12/31/2006 (I am assuming her father passed in 2005).

do you know the account balance as of the end of each year? that is the only way to determine what the RMD was for each year.

One envelope is fine.

Dmitry 12Author

Level 5

Thank you for the link to prior years 5329.
The account was left to my wife only. Yes, her father passed in 2005.
Yes, I know the balance of the account each year. The fidelity, where the account was, sent my wife a spreadsheet which shows the balance of the account each year, after 2005.
One envelope is a relief; not because of stamps but simply because someone at IRS can review multiple forms at a once.
Again, thank you!
P.S. Now I just need to find a sample 5329 form.

NCperson

Level 15

focus on section VIII on the 2006 version. that should make it easier. That same section occurs all the years going forward (but somewhere along the way it becomes section IX)

do you know how to calculate the RMD for each year? you do not need 2009 or 2020.

How old was your wife on 12/31/2006?

Dmitry 12Author

Level 5

I will focus on section VIII (or IX in the future years.
Yes, I know what the RMD should have been each year since 2006. You kindly showed me how to get these numbers.
The wife was 44 on 12/31/2006.
Thank you.

Dmitry 12Author

Level 5

When do we file/send the forms 5329 to the IRS? As I mentioned, we already distributed the money in the account left by my father-in-law. So we will pay the tax on the distribution when we file 2026 tax return. Should we send the forms 5329 when we file 2026 tax return? Or wait for IRS to send us the penalty bill for the late distribution?
TIA.

NCperson

Level 15

from the instructions:

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i5329.pdf

probably best to file them all together with the 2026 tax return as the RMD is going to be reported in 2026.

Dmitry 12Author

Level 5

I thought so. The downside is that I like to file my tax return electronically, using Turbo Tax. Now I will have to print and file it manually.
Thank you!

Dmitry 12Author

Level 5

Let me ask you a final (hopefully) questions.
What if just file my return electronically, paying tax for the money distributed from the later father-in-law account.
Do you know if IRS will send me a penalty bill for the late distribution? I don’t know if you know the answer to this question. But you know about 1000 times more than me. Hence I am asking. Of course, no liability for whatever answer you give me.
Thank you.

NCperson

Level 15

no idea; the instructions state to file everything together, hence paper filing. be sure to get a tracer from the post office so you can confirm it is actually received by the IRS.