Rollover versus a distribution

[ramactool]

Every year I have been moving 10 to 15k Traditional IRA money to Roth because I would watch the refund meter go down as I entered the distribution then go back up when I confirmed that money went to an IRA.  This year seems the opposite effect and I don't understand why.  Any ideas?

IE: if I take the distribution and don't put it in a Roth my refund goes up?

[macuser_22]

A rollover is moving money money from a before-tax account to another before that account such as one Traditional IRA to another Traditional IRA. 

If the money is moved from a before-tax account (like a Traditional IRA) to an after-tax account (such as  Roth IRA) then that is a conversion and the tax must be paid.

[Mike9241]

or did you do a back-door ROTH conversion.  contribute to IRA as nondeductible.  then move the money from the IRA to a Roth.