topic Question on calculating Roth IRA contributions in Retirement tax questions

Question on calculating Roth IRA contributions

mduchek — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 23:41:49 GMT

I have a question on Roth IRA contributions. I'd thought it was simply the total of the regular contributions, but I've seen some hints that it should be the contributions minus the distributions.

This years distribution exceeds the accumulated contributions, and I have to pay a penalty, but Turbotax doesn't seem to be calculating it.

The Learn More box discusses conversions, but not how to calculate the total contributions.

Re: Question on calculating Roth IRA contributions

DavidD66 — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:40:24 GMT

If you are under age 59 1/2 and have take more in distributions than you have contributed to your Roth IRA(s) then enter zero for your Roth IRA contributions prior to 2025.

Re: Question on calculating Roth IRA contributions

mduchek — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 04:09:22 GMT

So it is contributions minus distributions. I wish they were more clear about that, but thinking about it I think I had the same issue a few years ago.

Thank you for the help.