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New Member
posted Jun 6, 2019 9:12:19 AM

1099-R (back door Roth conversion) - got message "Good news, you don't owe extra tax based on box 7 entry, but my taxes due rose by $1500.

The back door Roth (https://www.rothira.com/what-is-a-backdoor-roth-ira), should not have caused my taxes due to rise (rose by $1500).  Turbo tax stated, "Based on your entry for box 7 on your 1099-R, you don't need to pay any extra taxes on the money taken out of this account."  Is the taxes due a bug in the software?

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:36 AM

This so-called “back-door Roth” method ONLY works if you have NO OTHER Traditional IRA accounts.  If you do, then the non-deductible part must be spread over ALL accounts and cannot be withdrawn by itself.  Only if you started with NO Traditional IRA and ended up with a zero amount in ALL Traditional IRA accounts will this Roth conversion not be taxable.

First you must enter your Traditional IRA contributions (if there were 2017 contributions ).

IRA contribution
Federal Taxes,
Deductions & Credits,
I’ll choose what I work on (if that screen comes up),,
Retirement & Investments,
Traditional & Roth IRA contribution.

Be SURE to answer the follow up that the are choosing to make this contribution NON-DEDUCTIBLE - if that screen comes up. (DO NOT say that you moved (recharacterized) the money to a Roth) – this is a conversion, not a recharactorazition.

Then enter the 1099-R that shows the distribution.

Federal Taxes,
Wages & Income
I’ll choose what I work on (if that screen comes up),,
Retirement Plans & Social Security,
IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R).

Answer the follow-up questions answer the question that you moved the money to another retirement. The screen will open up with choices of where it was moved. Choose you converted it to Roth IRA.

When asked if you have made any non-deductible contributions say " "yes" if you did then enter the non-deductible contributions made for tax years before 2017.     (Usually zero unless you also made a 2016 or earlier non-deductible contribution).

Enter the 2016 year end value of your Traditional IRA a "0" (zero) - if it is in fact zero - this tax free Roth conversion will not work if it is not zero.  Enter the 2016 non-deductible contribution here.

The non-deductible amount of your contribution will be subtracted from the taxable amount of the conversion on then 8606 form and enter on line 15a of them 1040 form and a zero taxable amount on line 15b  if you did it right.

12 Replies
Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:20 AM

Actually, the message you got is misleading. If you converted from a traditional IRA to a ROTH, then yes, you do pay taxes on it. But you do not pay the additional 10% early withdrawal penalty, since you put it back into another retirement vehicle that is not tax deferred, after withdrawing it from a retirement vehicle that is tax deferred.

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:22 AM

The Traditional IRA is not tax deferred.  I made a non deductible contribution of $5,500 to a Traditional IRA (which previously had a zero balance), then I immediately converted all the money to a Roth.

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:24 AM

Also of note, I have no other traditional IRA accounts, and as I mentioned, I had a zero balance in the traditional IRA before the $5,500 contribution.  Thanks for any help / advice.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:26 AM

Whats the code in box 7 of your 1099-R?

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:27 AM

02

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:29 AM

Read the answer below to make the correct entries.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:30 AM

You need to work it through again. To reiterate what Critter#2 says in his answer below;
 (DO NOT say that you moved (recharacterized) the money to a Roth) – this is a conversion, not a recharactorazition.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:33 AM

Note that because of known issues, it would be best to delete the 1099-R and re-enter it anew.

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:34 AM

Crap, I did say I recharacterized, but Turbo Tax said that didn't include conversions.  Oops, missed that.  Carl and Critter, thanks so much for the help, my taxes due are zero once again!

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:36 AM

This so-called “back-door Roth” method ONLY works if you have NO OTHER Traditional IRA accounts.  If you do, then the non-deductible part must be spread over ALL accounts and cannot be withdrawn by itself.  Only if you started with NO Traditional IRA and ended up with a zero amount in ALL Traditional IRA accounts will this Roth conversion not be taxable.

First you must enter your Traditional IRA contributions (if there were 2017 contributions ).

IRA contribution
Federal Taxes,
Deductions & Credits,
I’ll choose what I work on (if that screen comes up),,
Retirement & Investments,
Traditional & Roth IRA contribution.

Be SURE to answer the follow up that the are choosing to make this contribution NON-DEDUCTIBLE - if that screen comes up. (DO NOT say that you moved (recharacterized) the money to a Roth) – this is a conversion, not a recharactorazition.

Then enter the 1099-R that shows the distribution.

Federal Taxes,
Wages & Income
I’ll choose what I work on (if that screen comes up),,
Retirement Plans & Social Security,
IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan Withdrawals (1099-R).

Answer the follow-up questions answer the question that you moved the money to another retirement. The screen will open up with choices of where it was moved. Choose you converted it to Roth IRA.

When asked if you have made any non-deductible contributions say " "yes" if you did then enter the non-deductible contributions made for tax years before 2017.     (Usually zero unless you also made a 2016 or earlier non-deductible contribution).

Enter the 2016 year end value of your Traditional IRA a "0" (zero) - if it is in fact zero - this tax free Roth conversion will not work if it is not zero.  Enter the 2016 non-deductible contribution here.

The non-deductible amount of your contribution will be subtracted from the taxable amount of the conversion on then 8606 form and enter on line 15a of them 1040 form and a zero taxable amount on line 15b  if you did it right.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:38 AM

@Critter#2 - if you are going to copy my answers please link to it or attribute it.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 9:12:40 AM

Sorry ... I had to update it from 2 years ago so the link was no longer appropriate and I forgot to look to see who wrote it...so sorry ....   I look forward to capturing the current year's answer that you do so well.