RMD Calculation

[mitchden1]

I will be 72 on Jan. 20, 2024. Since I will be 73 in Jan. 2025, can I take my first RMD in 2025 ? If so, will it be based on the value of my IRA on Dec. 31, 2024?

[Critter-3]

Yes and Yes ... if you ask your IRA custodian they will confirm that they will send you the RMD amount in January of 2025 automatically.  

[dmertz · Accepted solution]

If you like, you can delay your 2025 RMD until as late as April 1, 2026 if you want some or all of your 2025 RMD to be 2026 income, but keep in mind that your 2026 RMD needs to be completed by December 31, 2026.  Also keep in mind that your RMD for a particular year must be completed before (or coincident with) doing any other distributions from your IRA that year such as Roth conversions.

[fanfare]

An IRA custodian will not send any RMD amount automatically.

@Critter-3 

[Critter-3]

All my clients get that amount listed on the January statement each and every year.  It is also listed on the form 5498 that is issued in May. Or it may be available online ... the IRA owner needs to find out what their IRA custodian does. 

[VolvoGirl]

@fanfare   The custodian should automatically send out a notice of how much RMD you need to take out for the year, not the actual withdrawal itself.