topic Missed IRA RMD in Retirement tax questions

Missed IRA RMD

pta4104 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:03:03 GMT

I missed taking an IRA distribution in 2022 because the mutual fund (Vanguard) changed accounts and lost my instructions for an automatic distribution in December. I realized the error at the very end of December and had them take the distribution on January 4th. I called the IRS and was told to include a letter with my return and the penalty most likely would be waived. I saw that TurboTax has a place for an explanation and I filled that out. My question is: Do I still need to send a letter with my return? That will make a difference whether I file electronically or mail it in.

Re: Missed IRA RMD

JulieS — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:40:37 GMT

No a letter is not required if you have filled out Form 5329 correctly and have a penalty waiver statement included.

Your penalty waiver statement should include these points:

When you discovered the problem.
What you did to resolve it.
The missed distribution was intentional.

You already asked for a waiver and included your statement, so you should be all set.

Re: Missed IRA RMD

fanfare — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 06:36:13 GMT

@JulieS

You'd better say the missed distribution was unintentional.

you need Reasonable Cause to be granted a waiver of the penalty.

cc @pta4104

Re: Missed IRA RMD

pta4104 — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 12:33:20 GMT

Yes, in my explanation I noted that I had that IRA set for automatic distribution in December of each year. When Vanguard changed accounts over in fall 2022 apparently they did not transfer the instruction. I caught it over the long New Year weekend when I started pulling tax "stuff" together. I doubt that I am the only Vanguard customer that this happened to.