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Level 1
posted Jun 5, 2019 11:07:45 PM

IRA Distribution in Retirement no tax filing.

I am retired and will be turning 70 this year. I have not filed taxes in a few years because i currently live on social security plus bond distributions (under $10k distribution a year).

My questions is, for 2019, i will be living solely on social security and a small IRA I have (no more bonds). How much can i withdraw before having to file/pay taxes? As mentioned, i haven't filed in years and don't wish to. What is the max distribution annually I can take before i would need to do this?

Thank you!

0 14 1746
14 Replies
Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:07:47 PM

Keep in mind the IRA RMD fomula:
 <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/uniform_rmd_wksht.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/uniform_rmd_wksht.pdf</a>

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:07:48 PM

What matters is whether you are turning 70 1/2 this year, not 70.

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:07:49 PM

you don't get to do that. That's why they call it Required Minimum distribution.

Your custodian will do the calculation for you if you can't do it.

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:07:50 PM

and remember state taxes as well.

Level 1
Jun 5, 2019 11:07:55 PM

Thanks SweetieJean... that's not my question. I know what the Required MINIMUM Distribution is...my question is what is the max i can withdraw before i'm required to file taxes. RMD only say what i have to take out at a MINIMUM. There isn't a max... I'm tax planning, not compliance planning.

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:07:56 PM

when your adjusted gross income (including 85% of your SS benefits) exceeds your standard deduction, you can start to worry. Standard deduction for a single person like you will be $13,600.

Level 1
Jun 5, 2019 11:07:57 PM

Thanks FanFare!

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:07:58 PM

If you are Single, your 2018 Standard Deduction is $13,300.  Also see:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.ssa.gov/planners/taxes.html">https://www.ssa.gov/planners/taxes.html</a>

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:08:00 PM

How much taxable income you can have before you are required to file a tax return depends on your marital status and age.

See Pub 17 Table 1-1 on page 5 for filing requirements.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf</a>

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:08:00 PM

That's for 2017. OP is asking about 2018.

Level 1
Jun 5, 2019 11:08:02 PM

I am single, retired with no employment, I live on social security, and IRA distribution which I'll begin to take in 2019. I'll be age 70 at the end of 2018, age 71 at the end of 2019. I need to take a distribution in January of 2019 as i need the funds for my living expenses so I'm trying to figure out now what I can take out without having to pay taxes and/or file a return.

I seem to recall reading that these were two different things... there's an amount (i think it was $11,000 in IRA distribution) i can withdraw tax-free before i need to file a return. I thought there was a different, greater amount i can take out that requires a return, but will end with no tax liability. I'm looking for what these two limits are. Thank you.

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:08:03 PM

Again, what matters is the year you turn 70 1/2, not 70.
Filing a return, you can do by hand, especially if there is no tax due. It is a simple thing. depending on the total value of your IRA, your RMD can kick you into taxable income. There's nothing you can do about that.

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:08:05 PM

Whatever income you got from bonds without tax, you can take from an IRA. It will be more than that going forward because the standard deduction is increasing.

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:08:06 PM

For a single person, the first divisor is 27.4 or 26.5 . So there you go. Divide your IRA value by 26.5.
If your IRA does not drop in value, you will be taking about that much income when you start distributions.