Save time with our cheat sheets, fact sheets, checklists & books!

February 19, 2009

Direct conversion

Print

Definition

A Roth Conversion that occurs directly between the delivering retirement account and receiving Roth IRA. The delivering account can be either of the following:
  • A traditional IRA
  • A SEP IRA
  • A SIMPLE IRA, providing it has been at least two years since the first contribution was deposited to the SIMPLE IRA
  • A qualified plan, providing the individual is eligible to make a withdrawal from the plan and the amount is rollover eligible
  • A  403(b) account , providing the individual is eligible to make a withdrawal from the plan and the amount is rollover eligible
  • A  403(a) annuity plan , providing the individual is eligible to make a withdrawal from the plan and the amount is rollover eligible
  • A governmental 457(b) plan, providing the individual is eligible to make a withdrawal from the plan and the amount is rollover eligible
Under a direct conversion, the assets are made payable to the Roth IRA custodian for benefit of (FBO) the Roth IRA owner. The direct conversion can be made between accounts at the same financial institution, or between accounts held at different financial institutions.
Note: Effective January 1, 2008, Roth conversions can occur from qualified plans, 457(b) and 403(b) plans to Roth IRAs. Prior to this date, the assets were required to be first be rolled to a Traditional IRA or SEP IRA before being converted to a Roth IRA.
Referring Cite
IRC §408A, IRS Publication 590
Additional Helpful Information

Important: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 repealed the option to recharacterize Roth conversions, for Roth conversions done after 2017. As such, only regular contributions to traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs may now be recharacterized.


  • [1][IRC §408A(d)(3)(A)(ii)
More

Keep Learning

Applicable RMD Age

Applicable RMD Age The first year for which an IRA owner or plan participant must begin to take RMDs from their tax-deferred retirement account. RMDs

SIMPLE 401(k) Plan

Definition A SIMPLE 401(k) plan is a 401(k) plan established by a small business for it’s employees. Earnings accrue on a tax-deferred basis and distributions

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)

Definition The minimum amount that must be withdrawn from retirement accounts, including qualified plans, 403(b) accounts, 457(b) accounts or IRAs, each year.  For retirement account

Required beginning date (RBD)

Definition The date by which a retirement account owner must begin distributing required minimum distribution (RMD) amounts from a Traditional,  SEP or SIMPLE IRA, a

Be among the first to know when

IRA Rules
Change