Do i have to pay taxes on gains in roth ira

[ChristinaS]

Not if the money is sitting in the account. Also, not if you have qualified distributions.

The only time you can pay tax on gains/ earnings in a Roth is if you have:

A/ nonqualified distributions (qualified distributions info listed below)

B/ earnings on excess contributions

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What Are Qualified Distributions?

A qualified distribution is any payment or distribution from your Roth IRA that meets the following requirements.

1. It is made after the 5-year period beginning with the first taxable year for which a contribution was made to a Roth IRA set up for your benefit, and

2. The payment or distribution is:

   1. Made on or after the date you reach age 59½,

   2. Made because you are disabled (defined earlier),

   3. Made to a beneficiary or to your estate after your death, or

   4. One that meets the requirements listed under First home under Exceptions in chapter 1 (up to a $10,000 lifetime limit).

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b/ch02.html#en_US_2016_publink1000231061