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Level 2
April 18, 2022
Question

Roth IRA Conversion

  • April 18, 2022
  • 1 reply
  • 12 views

Hi,

 

I have a traditional IRA that I have used to perform 'back door' Roth IRA conversions for several years.

In 2021, I converted $50k from my traditional IRA into my existing Roth IRA.

Turbo tax says that I now owe $25k for this conversion?

That seems wrong?

I would appreciate any help, 

Thank you,

Nick

    1 reply

    Level 15
    April 19, 2022

    Please be aware, that conversions are taxable unless you had a basis in the traditional IRA (nondeductible contributions). If you had a basis then the earnings will still be taxable. Also, if you had other pre-tax funds in the traditional IRA then the pro-rata rule applies and each distribution/conversion will have a taxable and nontaxable part.

     

    Please make sure your enter your basis correctly from your last filed Form 8606 line 14 during the interview.

     

    To enter the 1099-R conversion: 

     

    1. Click "Federal Taxes" on the top and select "Wages & Income"
    2. Click "I'll choose what to work on"
    3. Scroll down and click "Start" next to "IRA, 401(k), Pension Plan (1099-R)
    4. Answer "Yes" to the question "Did You Have Any of These Types of Income?"
    5. Click "I'll Type it Myself"
    6. Choose "Form 1099-R, Withdrawal of Money from 401(k) Retirement Plans, Pensions, IRAs, etc."
    7. Click "Continue" and enter the information from your 1099-R
    8. Answer questions until you get to “What Did You Do With The Money” and choose “I moved it to another retirement account
    9. Then choose “I did a combination of rolling over, converting, or cashing out money.” and enter the amount next to "Amount converted to a Roth IRA account"
    10. On the "Your 1099-R Entries" screen click "continue"
    11. Answer "yes" to "Any nondeductible Contribution to your IRA?" if you had any nondeductible contributions in prior years.
    12. Answer the questions about the basis from line 14 of your 2020 Form 8606 and the value of all traditional, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs

     

     

     

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    chesapo09Author
    Level 2
    April 19, 2022

    thank you!
    I am still confused - 

    1.  the $50k that i transferred from my traditional IRA was filled with post-tax dollars

    2.  turbo tax shows that i am paying 2 taxes on this $50k:

    #1 tax = capital gains tax

    #2 =  IRA distributions taxable

     

    but...why am i paying an 'IRA distributions taxable' tax when i filled this traditional IRA with post-tax dollars?  i am taxed 3 times:

    1.  income tax - this makes sense...but the 2 points below are confusing:

    2. IRA distributions tax (for Roth conversion)?

    3.  capital gains tax (for selling my investment)?

    chesapo09Author
    Level 2
    April 19, 2022

    do you have a chat feature that I can walk thru a few questions with you?

    I would greatly appreciate your help