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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 12:01:31 PM

How do I calculate the non-taxable portion of an IRA distribution when part of the IRA funds are pre-tax and part are after tax?

The IRA was funded with 95% pretax dollars and 5% after tax dollars.  Trying to determine how much of the RMD is non-taxable as a result

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1 Best answer
Intuit Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 12:01:33 PM

If 95% was funded with pretax dollars, then generally 95% of the distribution should be taxable.

You will not need to do the calculation to determine that amount on your own.  TurboTax will make the calculation based on information that you will enter about your IRA account. 

When you enter the information that was reported on your Form 1099-R for your distribution from the IRA that includes non-deductible contributions, there will be a series of follow-up questions to answer at the end of that section of the tax return. 

When you have entered all of the Form 1099-Rs that you received, you will be on the “Your 1099-R Entries” summary screen.  Click Continue to move forward and answer more questions.  These questions will include things such as whether non-deductible contributions were made and tracked in previous years, IRA total basis, the value of all Traditional IRAs, and any other details needed to calculate the taxable amount of the distribution.   

 


16 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 12:01:33 PM

If 95% was funded with pretax dollars, then generally 95% of the distribution should be taxable.

You will not need to do the calculation to determine that amount on your own.  TurboTax will make the calculation based on information that you will enter about your IRA account. 

When you enter the information that was reported on your Form 1099-R for your distribution from the IRA that includes non-deductible contributions, there will be a series of follow-up questions to answer at the end of that section of the tax return. 

When you have entered all of the Form 1099-Rs that you received, you will be on the “Your 1099-R Entries” summary screen.  Click Continue to move forward and answer more questions.  These questions will include things such as whether non-deductible contributions were made and tracked in previous years, IRA total basis, the value of all Traditional IRAs, and any other details needed to calculate the taxable amount of the distribution.   

 


New Member
Jun 3, 2019 12:01:34 PM

In completing the IRA section I am unable to find the section referred to above that that would generate these follow-on questions.

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 12:01:35 PM

Click the Continue button on the Your 1099-R Entries page.  If the after-tax money in your traditional IRAs came from an employer plan, click the EasyGuide button on the Let's Find Your IRA Basis page.

Level 2
Apr 3, 2020 9:29:26 AM

Calculation of the non-taxable portion of an IRA distribution due to a basis in the IRA has little bearing upon the percentage of the IRA funding with pre-tax dollars. Form 8606 guides the calculations, and the balance of  unrecovered taxed contributions from the the prior tax year is  applied. Generally, distributions (RMDs and Roth conversions, but not tax-free rollovers)  are added to the year-end value (V) of all IRAs to determine the total value of the IRAs. Subtracting the unrecovered taxed contributions (U) from that total yields the accumulated earnings (A) of your IRAs due to taxed and non-taxed contributions. The ratio of the unrecovered taxed contributions to the accumulated earnings (U/A) establishes the fraction of the earnings due to the taxed contributions. Multiplying that ratio (U/A) times the amount of the distribution (D) determines the non-taxable portion of the distribution.

 

As an example, consider that your first RMD has occurred, your pre-tax contributions were $95,000 and your after tax (taxed) contributions (U) were $5000. That conforms to your 95% and 5% funding relationship. Further consider that the year-end value (V) of your IRAs happens to be $900,000 and for an age factor of 27.40 applied to the prior year-end value of $880,000 the RMD (D) is $880,000 /27.40 = $32,117. The total value of your IRAs for the year of distribution is V + D = 900,000 +  32,117 = 932,117.  Then accumulated earnings A = V + D - U = 932,117 - 5000 = 927,117.  The ratio of U to A is U/A = 0.0054 (rounded to 4 decimal places). Finally, (U/A) * D = 0.0054 * 32,117 = 173 (rounded to 0 decimal places), and is the untaxed portion of your RMD. The taxable portion then becomes D - (U/A) * D = 32,117 - 173 = 31,944.

 

It is helpful to understand the underlying calculations when one uses the step-by-step procedures to enter your data.

Level 15
Apr 3, 2020 12:43:21 PM

"The ratio of the unrecovered taxed contributions to the accumulated earnings (U/A) establishes the fraction of the earnings due to the taxed contributions."

 

This is correct only if only nondeductible contributions were made.  Regardless, it's a meaningless number with regard to determining the taxable and nontaxable amounts.

 

"Multiplying that ratio (U/A) times the amount of the distribution (D) determines the non-taxable portion of the distribution."

 

No, that's wrong.

 

In your example with $5,000 of basis in nondeductible traditional IRA contributions, a $32,117 distribution during the year and a $900,000 balance at the end of the year, the fraction that is nontaxable is:

 

$5,000 / ($900,000 + $32,117) = 0.005364

 

You instead incorrectly calculated that fraction as:

 

$5,000/ ($900,000 + $32,117 - 5000) = 0.005393

 

The only reason that these calculations are close is that you used a very large year-end balance.  If the year-end balance was instead $10,000, the correct calculation would produce a nontaxable fraction of:

 

$5,000 / ($10,000 + $32,117) = 0.1187

 

while your incorrectly calculated fraction would be:

 

$5,000/ ($10,000 + $32,117 - 5000) = 0.1347

Level 2
Apr 9, 2020 8:48:37 AM

There were a few inadvertent errors in my original posting. Here follows the revision:

 

Calculation of the federal non-taxable portion of an IRA distribution due to a basis in the IRA has little bearing upon the percentage of the IRA funding with pre-tax dollars. Form 8606 guides the calculations, and the balance of  unrecovered taxed contributions from the prior tax year is applied.

 

Generally, distributions (RMDs and Roth conversions, but not tax-free rollovers) are added to the year-end value (V) of all IRAs to determine the total value (Vt) of the IRAs. Subtracting the unrecovered taxed contributions (U) from that total represents all earnings plus pre-tax contributions (A = Vt - U), that are fully taxable upon distribution.The ratio of the unrecovered taxed contributions U to the total value Vt establishes the fractional part of Vt that U represents. Equivalently, the ratio of A to the total value Vt establishes the fractional part that A, all earnings plus pre-tax contributions, represents.

 

Multiplying the ratio (U/Vt) times the amount of the distribution (D) determines the non-taxable portion of the distribution that is a partial return of the basis, and the taxable part of the distribution (Dtax) is calculated by subtracting the partial return of the basis from the distribution. For a total distribution, V = 0 and Vt = D, so that (U/Vt) * D = (U/D) * D = U; in other words, the return of your entire remaining basis is untaxed.  If U = 0, you have no basis, the entire distribution is taxed with no need for form 8606. As an example, consider that your first RMD has occurred, your pre-tax contributions were $95,000 and your after tax (taxed) contributions (U) were $5000. That conforms to your 95% and 5% funding relationship. Further consider that the year-end value (V) of your IRAs happens to be $900,000 and for an age factor of 27.40 applied to the prior year-end value of $880,000 the RMD (D) is $880,000 /27.40 = $32,117. The total value of your IRAs for the year of distribution is Vt = V + D = 900,000 +  32,117 = 932,117. The ratio of U to Vt is U/Vt = 0.0054 (rounded to 4 decimal places). Finally, (U/Vt) * D = 0.0054 * 32,117 = 173 (rounded to 0 decimal places), and is the untaxed portion of the RMD, a partial return of the basis. The taxable portion then becomes D - (U/Vt) * D = 32,117 - 173 = 31,944.

 

Alternatively for this example, A = Vt -U = 932,117 - 5000 = 927,117 and A/(Vt) = 927,117/932,117 = 0.9946. For D = 32,117, D  *  A/(Vt) = 32117 *  0.9946 = 31,943.5682 which rounds to 31944.

 

Consider the modified example offered by dmertz, with year-end value at $10,000 but the same distribution of $32,117 and after tax (taxed) contributions of $5000. In this case Vt = V + D = 10,000 + 32,117 and (U/Vt) * D is the nontaxable part of the distribution:

 

(5,000 / (10,000 + 32,117)) * 32,117

= (5,000 / 42,117) * 32,117

= 0.1187 * 32,117 = 3812 (rounded)

 

So the taxable part is $32,117 - $3,812 = $28,305

 

Using the alternative approach of A = V + D - U = Vt - U = 42,117 -5,000 = 37,117, then (A/Vt) * D yields directly the taxable part of the distribution:

 

(37,117 / 42,117) * 32,117

= 0.8813 * 32,117 = 28,305

 

and the non-taxable part is the difference of the taxable part from the value of the distribution:

 

$32,117 - $28,305 = $3,812

 

Note 1:

Form 8606 has line-by-line entry for all of the data with D provided as total ordinary IRA distributions (Dord) and total Roth conversion distributions (Drc) on separate lines (line 7 and line 8). The fraction U/Vt (line 10) is multiplied times each of those two distribution values and the resulting values of untaxed portions placed on  lines 11 and 12. The sum of the two values of untaxed portions is entered on line 13, which represents the basis change for the current tax year, and is used in the calculation of the remaining basis applicable to the next tax year.

 

Note 2:

In case non-deductable contributions are made during the current tax year and for the current tax year during 1/1 through 4/15 of the following calendar year, Form 8606 determines the basis through the year end of the current for calculations of taxable and non-taxable portions of IRA distributions.

New Member
Apr 17, 2021 6:02:38 PM

Question:  I did Roth Conversion in 2020 without taking RMD.  I also paid federal tax from IRA, which directly went to IRS.  In calculating Vt (V + D), do I include both converted amount and tax payment, in other words, does D is the sum of converted amount and tax payment?  Thanks for your help.

Level 15
Apr 19, 2021 2:37:17 PM

Both are included in D.  The amount withheld for taxes and not converted to Roth will appear on Form 8606 line 7 while the converted amount will appear on 8.  These will get summed on line 9 along with the year-end value on line 6.

New Member
Feb 4, 2022 2:54:04 PM

Where do I get the age factor  referenced in your  post of April 3, 2020?  Or, how do I determine it?

Expert Alumni
Feb 4, 2022 6:27:59 PM

In the MY INFO section where you give your birthdate is how TurboTax decides to present you with the RMD question when entering a 1099-R. 

 

If Turbo Tax is asking if your pension is a RMD say yes.  Anything your pension pays you is considered to be RMD.

 

RMD is taxed the same way as other retirement income.  The IRS just wants you to confirm that you are taking your RMD if you are over 70.5.

 

Click this link for more info on RMD.

 

 

Level 15
Feb 4, 2022 7:12:08 PM

The age factor that you should have used to determine your 2021 RMD comes from the appropriate table in Appendix B of 2020 IRS Pub 590-B.  (2021 Pub 590-B has not yet been published but will have identical tables.

 

If you are instead trying to determine your RMD for 2022, you'll need to use revised tables that so far have only been published in the Federal Register:  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-11-12/pdf/2020-24723.pdf

Level 1
Feb 13, 2023 8:04:49 PM

How do you calculate the age factor of 27.40?  Since I have contributed total of 30 years to the IRA.

Do I need to find out the total amount of pre-tax and post-tax  contribution to the IRA in 30 years?

Need to find out the the ratio between the pre-tax IRA and post-tax IRA  to pay tax on this year IRA distribution.

Expert Alumni
Feb 14, 2023 6:23:33 AM

Yes, in order to figure out the non-taxable portion of a Traditional IRA distribution, you need to know the amount of non-deductible contributions made. 

 

The ratios are meaningless, the amount that is nontaxable is calculated on Form 8606 each year, based upon the amount of IRA basis that you have.

 

Your IRA basis is the amount of non-deductible contributions that you made, less any amount you have already distributed tax free. 

 

In the context of an IRA, pre-tax and post-tax are confusing, unless this is an employer plan. If your plan is from an employer, you may have a post-tax amount and they will need to share that with you. 

 

In the much more common scenario where you open an IRA at your bank or broker and contribute to it with your post tax dollars, the only real question is did you deduct your contribution. 

 

If you contributed and did not deduct your contribution and you left the amount in your IRA, you file Form 8606 and report to the IRS that you made a non-deductible contribution. 

 

When you start taking distributions, you figure the amount that is not taxable using Form 8606. 

 

TurboTax addresses this issue very clearly in the IRA section, allowing you to enter non-deductible contributions made in the past. Here is how to find this in TurboTax:

  1. Select Federal from the left side menu.
  2. Select Deductions and Credits
  3. Expand the list and scroll down to Retirement and Investments.
  4. Expand the section and click Start to the right of Traditional and Roth IRA Contributions. 
  5. Check the type of IRA accounts you have and then answer the questions about contributions. 

Level 1
Feb 15, 2023 5:39:57 PM

This is my first year to take a distribution out of  the IRA.  My problem here is the Investment company rollover my 401K to Traditional IRA then they combine my post-tax IRA into one.

Here are my basic cost contribution to the (401K) IRA   $311298.00  (pre-tax)

                       basic cost contribution to IRA                        $65869.00 (post-tax)

                       current balance of the combine IRA           $900000.00

This 2022 take out (distribution) $30000 from the combine IRA

How do I know how much tax to pay for $30000 distribution? 

(65869/311298=21%) should I subtract

30000-6300(21%)= 23700 and paid tax on this IRA amount?

In Turbo Tax section Retirement Plans and Social Security

Select Update on IRA, 401K pension withdraws (1099-R)

Then update  line 2a Taxable amount of 1099-R form from 30000 to 23700

Please advise.

Thien

Expert Alumni
Feb 15, 2023 8:08:35 PM

The amount of your distribution that is taxable is distribution amount x the taxable percentage of your total balance.  Your taxable percentage is determined by subtracting the after tax contributions you made to the IRA from the total balance.  For instance, if you made $60,000 of after tax contributions, your total balance is $900,000, and you take a $30,000 distribution, then your taxable portion is:

 

$30,000 x ($900,000-$60,000)/900,000 = $27,900

or $30,000 x 0.93 ($840,000/$900,000) =$27,900

 

You should be calculating this and reporting it on Form 8606.  If you didn't file Form 8606 in the years you made after tax contributions, that could cause a problem.  You can file Form 8606 by itself, and after the fact, so I recommend you file a Form 8606 for any prior year you made an after tax IRA contribution and did not file Form 8606.

Level 2
Feb 15, 2023 8:59:30 PM

Just to be clear, your first distribution occurred in 2022, in the amount of $30,000. If true, then your 1099-R should state this amount in line 1.   Line 2a could be blank if you imported the 1099-R into TurboTax, even if your financial institution had indicated a taxable amount but checked line 2b as "Taxable amount not determined." My completed prior year tax returns in fact have line 2a identical to line 1; however, for tax year 2022, line 2a at this point in working on my taxes is blank after importation. Do not concern yourself  with line 2a at this time.

 

Most importantly, the distribution must equal or exceed your RMD for 2022, in order to avoid penalties for an insufficient withdrawal. Typically, your financial institution provides RMD information in a January account statement and/or in an RMD notification letter. 

 

Pretax contributions are fully taxable upon distribution and are not relevant. What matters is the total of all of your IRA holdings, and the total non-deductable (post tax) contributions, which is known as the basis of your IRAs. Your basis is $65869.00. You state the "current balance" of the combined IRA as $900000.00. This must be the balance as of 12/31/2022 for purposes of tax computations. The ratio of your basis to the sum of the tax year-end balance and the total distributions for the tax year is 65869/(900000 + 30000) = 0.070827 rounded up and establishes the fraction of the IRA that contains the basis. Since you distributed $30,000, then that same fraction of the $30,000 will be the basis removed from IRA in the distribution, calculated as 0.070827 * $30,000 = $2125. Therefore, for 2022 the taxable amount of the distribution would be $27,875 and your remaining basis for 2023 becomes $65,869 - $2,125 = $63,744.

 

Turbotax  does these calculations for you in form 8606, as long as prior tax year form 8606s are reflected in your 2022 Turbotax form 8606.  If not, you may account for them in your IRA information worksheet by manual entry in line 12, Basis for 2021 and earlier years, or by providing it in the Step-by-Step Update on IRA, 401K pension withdraws (1099-R).