topic Early distribution of Roth IRA's - so confusing in Retirement tax questions

Early distribution of Roth IRA's - so confusing

mmm1958 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 04:38:10 GMT

Trying to help out a friend.

Did a series of conversions-no contributions, no basis in IRA they were converted from.

Younger than 59 1/2!

I don't understand how to answer the questions:

Report net conversions to your Roth IRA's that were taxable & nontaxable in 2018 & prior years.

Report net conversions to your Roth IRAs that were taxable & nontaxable in in 2019

Report net conversions to your Roth IRAs that were taxable & nontaxable in in 2020

Conversions in 2018 & prior years: $ 11,369 Distribution in 2020 (COVID) : $22,869

Conversions in 2019: $14,000 Remaining basis at that time: $ 11,240

Conversion in 2020: $8740 Distribution in 2023: $ 17,461.28 (closed acct)

Assuming 10% penalty/taxes on earnings of $6221

Any help greatly appreciated!!!

Re: Early distribution of Roth IRA's - so confusing

dmertz — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 18:57:07 GMT

Because there was no basis in nondeductible traditional IRA contributions, all of the conversions were taxable conversions. Assuming no basis in regular Roth IRA contributions, the Coronavirus Related Distribution came from conversion basis, FIFO under the Roth IRA ordering rules, removing all $11,369 of the conversion basis from 2018 and before, and $11,500 of the 2019 conversion basis. Assuming that no part of the CRD was repaid, the resulting net taxable conversion basis is:

2018 and before: $0

2019: $2,500

2020: $8,740

Because the distribution in 2023 occurred before completing the 5-year period for the 2019 and 2020 conversions, the entire distribution is subject to the 10% early-distribution penalty on Form 5329. Just the earnings are includible in income on Form 1040 line 4b.

Re: Early distribution of Roth IRA's - so confusing

mmm1958 — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 19:50:40 GMT

Thanks! That's what I was getting but the penalty seemed too high. Now I understand that the entire

distribution was subject to the 10% penalty.