Inherited Distribution used for Disaster Relief

[DougS]

In 2017 we experienced a loss due to a declared disaster. In 2018 my wife inherited a qualified distribution that could not be deferred. Can we claim the inherited distribution as a Qualified Disaster Distribution in order to spread the tax over 3 years?

[Rainman12]

Not qualified, because it was Inherited - not an early distribution from your own account. 

Reference: www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/disaster-relief-bill-includes-retirement-plan-distribution-and-loan-opt...

[dmertz]

Yes, a distribution from an inherited qualified retirement account can be reported as a Qualified Disaster Distribution to spread the tax liability over 3 years.  TurboTax will automatically ask if the distribution was a Qualified Disaster Distribution when you enter the code 4 Form 1099-R received by your wife.

If the distribution was more than $100,000, be sure to indicate that only part of the distribution was a Qualified Disaster Distribution and limit the amount to the lesser of your disaster-related loss or $100,000 , whichever is less.

The assumption here is that your wife was a designated beneficiary of the qualified retirement account.  I'm not sure why this distribution "could not be deferred" unless it was an RMD.  If the beneficiary was a trust or the estate of the decedent, I don't think that this would be a Qualified Disaster Distribution.