18 June 2022 15:58

Mega backdoor Roth: Is there a 10% penalty if I withdraw from a Roth IRA after an in-service conversion from after-tax 401(k)?

Can you withdraw Mega Backdoor Roth?

Now you can begin the process of a mega-backdoor Roth IRA. Max out your 401(k) with your after-tax contributions and then withdraw that money, roll it over into a Traditional IRA, then immediately convert it.

Can I withdraw from Roth IRA after conversion?

As a general rule, you can withdraw your contributions from a Roth IRA at any time without paying tax or penalty. If you withdraw money from a conversion too soon after that event, and before age 59½, you may incur a penalty.

Do you pay taxes on a backdoor Roth conversion?

The main advantage of a backdoor Roth IRA—as with Roth IRAs in general—is that you pay taxes up front on your converted pretax funds and everything after that is tax free.

Can you do a backdoor Roth with after-tax 401k?

A mega backdoor Roth 401(k) conversion is a tax-shelter strategy available to employees whose employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plans allow them to make substantial after-tax contributions in addition to their pretax deferrals and to transfer their contributions to an employer-designated Roth 401(k).

Do you pay taxes on Mega Backdoor Roth?

The mega backdoor Roth strategy works because: Taxes already paid: Investors fund the account with after-tax dollars. Growth is tax-free: By converting the funds into a Roth structure, the money grows tax-free rather than tax-deferred.

Is the Mega Backdoor Roth going away in 2022?

The backdoor Roth IRA strategy is still currently viable, but that may change at any time in 2022. Under the provisions of the Build Back Better bill, which passed the House of Representatives in 2021, high-income taxpayers would be prevented from making Roth conversions.

Can you withdraw Backdoor Roth IRA?

You can withdraw your contributions from a Roth IRA at any time without penalty or taxes. And you can withdraw both your contributions and the gains from a Roth IRA without any taxes or penalties after you turn 59½ years old, provided that the account is at least five years old.

Is there a 10 penalty on Roth conversions?

Roth IRA Early Withdrawal Penalty & Converted Amounts

If you withdraw contributions before the five-year period is over, you might have to pay a 10% Roth IRA early withdrawal penalty. This is a penalty on the entire distribution. You usually pay the 10% penalty on the amount you converted.

How can I withdraw money from my Roth IRA without penalty?

You may be able to avoid penalties (but not taxes) in the following situations:

  1. You use the withdrawal (up to a $10,000 lifetime maximum) to pay for a first-time home purchase.
  2. You use the withdrawal to pay for qualified education expenses.
  3. You use the withdrawal for qualified expenses related to a birth or adoption.

Can you backdoor Roth and Mega Backdoor Roth?

On an ongoing (annual) basis, like the Backdoor Roth IRA, you could make employee after-tax contributions (into your 401(k)) and subsequently do a Mega Backdoor Roth conversion each year.

Is a backdoor Roth a conversion or rollover?

A “backdoor Roth IRA” is a type of conversion that allows people with high incomes to fund a Roth despite IRS income limits. Basically, you put money in a traditional IRA, convert your contributed funds into a Roth IRA, pay some taxes and you’re done.

Is backdoor Roth still allowed in 2021?

Starting in 2021, the Backdoor Roth IRA has allowed all income earners the ability to make a Roth IRA contribution. Prior to 2010, any taxpayer that had income above $100,000 was not allowed to do a Roth IRA conversion which prevented one from making an after-tax IRA contribution and converting to a Roth.

How many Roth conversions can you do in a year?

The government only allows you to contribute $6,000 directly to a Roth IRA in or $7,000 if you’re 50 or older, but there is no limit on how much you can convert from tax-deferred savings to your Roth IRA in a single year.

At what age does a Roth IRA not make sense?

Unlike the traditional IRA, where contributions aren’t allowed after age 70½, you’re never too old to open a Roth IRA. As long as you’re still drawing earned income and breath, the IRS is fine with you opening and funding a Roth.

When should you not convert to a Roth IRA?

If you’re less than five years away from retirement, it probably won’t make sense to convert to a Roth IRA. A Roth conversion will trigger taxes, so you must be willing and able to pay those taxes.