Inherited IRA RMD Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for an inherited IRA based on common IRS rules. Please note that tax laws are complex and can change. Always consult with a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for personalized advice.
Understanding Inherited IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
When you inherit an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you generally become subject to rules regarding how and when you must withdraw funds from that account. These withdrawals are known as Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). The rules for inherited IRAs are complex and depend on several factors, primarily the relationship of the beneficiary to the deceased owner and the date of the original owner's death.
Key Factors Affecting Inherited IRA RMDs:
- Date of Death: Whether the original IRA owner died before or after December 31, 2019, significantly impacts the rules. The SECURE Act of 2019 introduced the 10-year rule for many beneficiaries.
- Beneficiary Type: Your relationship to the deceased (spouse, non-spouse individual, or non-person entity like an estate or trust) is crucial.
- Deceased's RMD Status: Whether the original owner had already started taking their own RMDs at the time of death can also affect the calculation, especially under the 10-year rule.
- Prior Year-End Balance: The value of the inherited IRA on December 31st of the year prior to the RMD calculation year is the basis for the calculation.
- Beneficiary's Age: For individual beneficiaries, your age (as of December 31st of the RMD calculation year) is used to determine your life expectancy factor.
Common Inherited IRA RMD Scenarios:
1. Spouse Beneficiary
Spouses have the most flexibility. They typically have two main options:
- Spousal Rollover: The most common option is to roll the inherited IRA into their own IRA. This allows the spouse to treat the IRA as their own, delaying RMDs until they reach their own RMD age (currently 73).
- Treat as Inherited IRA: The spouse can choose to treat the IRA as an inherited IRA. In this case, RMDs are calculated based on the spouse's own life expectancy, similar to other individual beneficiaries. This calculator assumes this option if "Spouse" is selected.
2. Non-Spouse Individual Beneficiary
This category includes children (who are not minors), siblings, friends, etc.
- Death Before 2020 (Life Expectancy Rule): If the original owner died before January 1, 2020, the non-spouse individual beneficiary generally takes RMDs over their own life expectancy, starting the year after the original owner's death.
- Death After 2019 (10-Year Rule): If the original owner died on or after January 1, 2020, the 10-year rule generally applies. This rule requires the entire inherited IRA balance to be distributed by the end of the 10th calendar year following the year of the original owner's death.
- If the deceased was NOT taking RMDs: No annual RMDs are required during the 10-year period. The entire balance must be withdrawn by the end of the 10th year.
- If the deceased WAS taking RMDs: Recent IRS guidance (proposed regulations) indicates that annual RMDs *are* required during years 1-9 of the 10-year period, based on the beneficiary's life expectancy. The remaining balance must then be fully distributed by the end of the 10th year.
3. Non-Person Entity Beneficiary (Estate, Trust, Charity)
When an IRA is inherited by an estate, trust, or charity, the rules are generally less flexible:
- If the deceased died before RMDs started: The 5-year rule typically applies. The entire inherited IRA balance must be distributed by the end of the fifth calendar year following the year of the original owner's death. No annual RMDs are required in the interim.
- If the deceased died after RMDs started: RMDs must continue to be taken over the deceased's remaining life expectancy at the time of death.
How This Calculator Works:
This tool helps you estimate your RMD by considering the factors above. It uses the IRS Single Life Expectancy Table (Table I from Publication 590-B) for individual beneficiaries and, where applicable, for the deceased's remaining life expectancy. Input your specific details, and the calculator will provide an estimated RMD and an explanation of the applicable rule.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax or financial advice. The rules for inherited IRAs are complex and subject to change. There may be specific exceptions or nuances not covered by this general calculator. Always consult with a qualified tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your individual situation and ensure compliance with current tax laws.
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// Single Life Expectancy Table (IRS Publication 590-B, Table I)
// This table is for beneficiaries of inherited IRAs who are individuals.
var singleLifeExpectancyTable = {
0: 84.6, 1: 83.6, 2: 82.6, 3: 81.6, 4: 80.6, 5: 79.6, 6: 78.6, 7: 77.6, 8: 76.6, 9: 75.6,
10: 74.6, 11: 73.6, 12: 72.6, 13: 71.6, 14: 70.6, 15: 69.6, 16: 68.6, 17: 67.6, 18: 66.6, 19: 65.6,
20: 64.6, 21: 63.6, 22: 62.6, 23: 61.6, 24: 60.6, 25: 59.6, 26: 58.6, 27: 57.6, 28: 56.6, 29: 55.6,
30: 54.7, 31: 53.7, 32: 52.7, 33: 51.7, 34: 50.8, 35: 49.8, 36: 48.8, 37: 47.9, 38: 46.9, 39: 46.0,
40: 45.0, 41: 44.1, 42: 43.1, 43: 42.2, 44: 41.3, 45: 40.3, 46: 39.4, 47: 38.5, 48: 37.6, 49: 36.7,
50: 35.8, 51: 34.9, 52: 34.0, 53: 33.1, 54: 32.2, 55: 31.4, 56: 30.5, 57: 29.6, 58: 28.8, 59: 27.9,
60: 27.1, 61: 26.2, 62: 25.4, 63: 24.6, 64: 23.8, 65: 23.0, 66: 22.2, 67: 21.4, 68: 20.6, 69: 19.8,
70: 19.0, 71: 18.3, 72: 17.5, 73: 16.8, 74: 16.0, 75: 15.3, 76: 14.6, 77: 13.9, 78: 13.2, 79: 12.5,
80: 11.8, 81: 11.2, 82: 10.6, 83: 10.0, 84: 9.4, 85: 8.8, 86: 8.3, 87: 7.8, 88: 7.3, 89: 6.8,
90: 6.4, 91: 6.0, 92: 5.6, 93: 5.2, 94: 4.8, 95: 4.5, 96: 4.2, 97: 3.9, 98: 3.6, 99: 3.4,
100: 3.1, 101: 2.9, 102: 2.6, 103: 2.4, 104: 2.2, 105: 2.0, 106: 1.8, 107: 1.6, 108: 1.4, 109: 1.3,
110: 1.1, 111: 1.0, 112: 0.9, 113: 0.8, 114: 0.7, 115: 0.6, 116: 0.5, 117: 0.4, 118: 0.3, 119: 0.2,
120: 0.1
};
// For deceased's remaining life expectancy (if non-person beneficiary and deceased was taking RMDs)
// This is also Table I, but applied to the deceased's age at death.
var deceasedLifeExpectancyTable = singleLifeExpectancyTable; // Same table, different application.
function calculateRMD() {
var priorYearEndBalance = parseFloat(document.getElementById("priorYearEndBalance").value);
var beneficiaryBirthYear = parseInt(document.getElementById("beneficiaryBirthYear").value);
var rmdCalculationYear = parseInt(document.getElementById("rmdCalculationYear").value);
var deceasedDeathDateStr = document.getElementById("deceasedDeathDate").value;
var beneficiaryType = document.getElementById("beneficiaryType").value;
var deceasedWasTakingRMDsElement = document.querySelector('input[name="deceasedWasTakingRMDs"]:checked');
var deceasedAgeAtDeath = parseInt(document.getElementById("deceasedAgeAtDeath").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("rmdResult");
resultDiv.innerHTML = ""; // Clear previous results
// Input validation
if (isNaN(priorYearEndBalance) || priorYearEndBalance < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Prior Year-End Inherited IRA Balance.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(beneficiaryBirthYear) || beneficiaryBirthYear rmdCalculationYear) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Beneficiary's Birth Year.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(rmdCalculationYear) || rmdCalculationYear new Date().getFullYear() + 5) { // Allow a few years into the future
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid RMD Calculation Year.";
return;
}
if (!deceasedDeathDateStr) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter the Deceased's Date of Death.";
return;
}
if (!beneficiaryType) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please select a Beneficiary Type.";
return;
}
if (!deceasedWasTakingRMDsElement) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please indicate if the deceased was taking RMDs.";
return;
}
var deceasedDeathDate = new Date(deceasedDeathDateStr);
var deceasedDeathYear = deceasedDeathDate.getFullYear();
var beneficiaryAge = rmdCalculationYear – beneficiaryBirthYear;
var deceasedWasTakingRMDsBool = (deceasedWasTakingRMDsElement.value === "yes");
var rmdAmount = 0;
var explanation = "";
// Rule 1: Spouse Beneficiary
if (beneficiaryType === "spouse") {
if (beneficiaryAge 120) { // Check age validity for table
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Beneficiary age (" + beneficiaryAge + ") is outside the typical range for life expectancy tables. Please check the birth year.";
return;
}
var lifeExpectancyFactor = singleLifeExpectancyTable[beneficiaryAge];
if (lifeExpectancyFactor) {
rmdAmount = priorYearEndBalance / lifeExpectancyFactor;
explanation = "As a spouse beneficiary treating the IRA as inherited, your RMD is calculated using your own life expectancy factor (" + lifeExpectancyFactor + " for age " + beneficiaryAge + "). Note: Spouses often have the option to roll over the inherited IRA into their own IRA, which may delay RMDs until they reach their own RMD age (currently 73). This calculator assumes you are treating it as an inherited IRA.";
} else {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Could not find a life expectancy factor for beneficiary age " + beneficiaryAge + ". Please check the beneficiary's birth year.";
return;
}
}
// Rule 2: Non-Spouse Individual Beneficiary
else if (beneficiaryType === "nonSpouseIndividual") {
// Determine if 10-year rule applies (death after 2019)
if (deceasedDeathYear >= 2020) { // 10-year rule applies
var yearsSinceDeath = rmdCalculationYear – deceasedDeathYear;
if (yearsSinceDeath > 10) {
rmdAmount = priorYearEndBalance; // Entire balance should have been distributed
explanation = "Under the 10-year rule, the entire inherited IRA balance should have been distributed by the end of the 10th year following the original owner's death. Since " + rmdCalculationYear + " is more than 10 years after " + deceasedDeathYear + ", the full remaining balance is considered the RMD.";
} else if (yearsSinceDeath === 10) {
rmdAmount = priorYearEndBalance; // Entire balance must be distributed in the 10th year
explanation = "Under the 10-year rule, the entire inherited IRA balance must be distributed by the end of the 10th year following the original owner's death. Since " + rmdCalculationYear + " is the 10th year after " + deceasedDeathYear + ", the full remaining balance is your RMD.";
}
else { // Within the 10-year period (years 1-9)
if (deceasedWasTakingRMDsBool) {
// If deceased was taking RMDs, annual RMDs are required based on beneficiary's life expectancy
if (beneficiaryAge 120) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Beneficiary age (" + beneficiaryAge + ") is outside the typical range for life expectancy tables. Please check the birth year.";
return;
}
var lifeExpectancyFactor = singleLifeExpectancyTable[beneficiaryAge];
if (lifeExpectancyFactor) {
rmdAmount = priorYearEndBalance / lifeExpectancyFactor;
explanation = "Under the 10-year rule (death after 2019) and because the deceased was already taking RMDs, you are required to take annual RMDs based on your own life expectancy factor (" + lifeExpectancyFactor + " for age " + beneficiaryAge + ") during years 1-9. The entire remaining balance must be distributed by the end of the 10th year following the original owner's death.";
} else {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Could not find a life expectancy factor for beneficiary age " + beneficiaryAge + ". Please check the beneficiary's birth year.";
return;
}
} else {
// If deceased was NOT taking RMDs, no RMDs are required until the 10th year
rmdAmount = 0;
explanation = "Under the 10-year rule (death after 2019) and because the deceased was NOT taking RMDs, no RMD is required for you in " + rmdCalculationYear + ". The entire inherited IRA balance must be distributed by the end of the 10th year following the original owner's death (" + (deceasedDeathYear + 10) + ").";
}
}
} else { // Death before 2020 (life expectancy rule)
if (beneficiaryAge 120) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Beneficiary age (" + beneficiaryAge + ") is outside the typical range for life expectancy tables. Please check the birth year.";
return;
}
var lifeExpectancyFactor = singleLifeExpectancyTable[beneficiaryAge];
if (lifeExpectancyFactor) {
rmdAmount = priorYearEndBalance / lifeExpectancyFactor;
explanation = "Since the deceased died before 2020, your RMD is calculated using your own life expectancy factor (" + lifeExpectancyFactor + " for age " + beneficiaryAge + ").";
} else {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Could not find a life expectancy factor for beneficiary age " + beneficiaryAge + ". Please check the beneficiary's birth year.";
return;
}
}
}
// Rule 3: Non-Person Entity Beneficiary (Estate, Trust, Charity)
else if (beneficiaryType === "nonPersonEntity") {
if (deceasedWasTakingRMDsBool) {
// If deceased was taking RMDs, use deceased's remaining life expectancy
if (isNaN(deceasedAgeAtDeath) || deceasedAgeAtDeath 120) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Deceased's Age at Death for non-person beneficiaries when the deceased was taking RMDs.";
return;
}
var lifeExpectancyFactor = deceasedLifeExpectancyTable[deceasedAgeAtDeath];
if (lifeExpectancyFactor) {
rmdAmount = priorYearEndBalance / lifeExpectancyFactor;
explanation = "For a non-person beneficiary (e.g., estate, trust) where the deceased was taking RMDs, the RMD is calculated using the deceased's remaining life expectancy factor (" + lifeExpectancyFactor + " for age " + deceasedAgeAtDeath + " at death).";
} else {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Could not find a life expectancy factor for deceased's age " + deceasedAgeAtDeath + ". Please check the deceased's age at death.";
return;
}
} else {
// If deceased was NOT taking RMDs, 5-year rule applies (no annual RMD, full distribution by end of 5th year)
var yearsSinceDeath = rmdCalculationYear – deceasedDeathYear;
if (yearsSinceDeath > 5) {
rmdAmount = priorYearEndBalance; // Entire balance should have been distributed
explanation = "For a non-person beneficiary (e.g., estate, trust) where the deceased was NOT taking RMDs, the 5-year rule applies. The entire inherited IRA balance should have been distributed by the end of the 5th year following the original owner's death. Since " + rmdCalculationYear + " is more than 5 years after " + deceasedDeathYear + ", the full remaining balance is considered the RMD.";
} else if (yearsSinceDeath === 5) {
rmdAmount = priorYearEndBalance; // Entire balance must be distributed in the 5th year
explanation = "For a non-person beneficiary (e.g., estate, trust) where the deceased was NOT taking RMDs, the 5-year rule applies. The entire inherited IRA balance must be distributed by the end of the 5th year following the original owner's death. Since " + rmdCalculationYear + " is the 5th year after " + deceasedDeathYear + ", the full remaining balance is your RMD.";
}
else {
rmdAmount = 0;
explanation = "For a non-person beneficiary (e.g., estate, trust) where the deceased was NOT taking RMDs, the 5-year rule applies. No RMD is required for you in " + rmdCalculationYear + ". The entire inherited IRA balance must be distributed by the end of the 5th year following the original owner's death (" + (deceasedDeathYear + 5) + ").";
}
}
} else {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "An unexpected error occurred. Please check your inputs.";
return;
}
resultDiv.innerHTML = "
Calculated Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
" +
"Your estimated RMD for " + rmdCalculationYear + " is:
$" + rmdAmount.toFixed(2) + "" +
"
" + explanation + "" +
"
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on common IRS rules. Tax laws are complex and can change. Consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for personalized advice.";
}
// Function to toggle deceasedAgeAtDeath visibility
function toggleDeceasedAgeAtDeath() {
var beneficiaryType = document.getElementById("beneficiaryType").value;
var deceasedWasTakingRMDsElement = document.querySelector('input[name="deceasedWasTakingRMDs"]:checked');
var deceasedAgeAtDeathDiv = document.getElementById("deceasedAgeAtDeathDiv");
var deceasedWasTakingRMDsBool = deceasedWasTakingRMDsElement ? (deceasedWasTakingRMDsElement.value === "yes") : false;
if (beneficiaryType === "nonPersonEntity" && deceasedWasTakingRMDsBool) {
deceasedAgeAtDeathDiv.style.display = "block";
} else {
deceasedAgeAtDeathDiv.style.display = "none";
}
}
// Initial call to set correct visibility on page load
toggleDeceasedAgeAtDeath();