Understanding the tax consequences of inheriting a Roth IRA

Passing down a Roth IRA can seem like a good idea, but it doesn’t always make the most sense. Before converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA to benefit your heirs, you should consider the tax consequences.

Earnings in a traditional IRA generally are not taxed until they are distributed to you. At age 70 1/2 you have to start taking distributions from a traditional IRA. By contrast, contributions to a Roth IRA are taxed, but the distributions are tax-free. You also do not have to take distributions from a Roth IRA.

Leaving your heirs a tax-free Roth IRA can be used as part of an estate plan. However, in figuring out the best type of IRA to leave to your beneficiaries, you need to consider whether your beneficiary’s tax rate will be higher or lower than your tax rate when you fund the IRA. In general, if your beneficiary’s tax rate is higher than your tax rate, then you should leave your beneficiary a Roth IRA. Because the funds in a Roth IRA are taxed before they are put into the IRA, it makes sense to fund it when your tax rate is lower. On the other hand, if your beneficiary’s tax rate is lower than your tax rate, a traditional IRA might make more sense. That way, you won’t pay the taxes at your higher rate. Instead, your beneficiary will pay at the lower tax rate.

Regardless of which IRA you pass on to your heirs, remember that your IRA is part of your taxable estate, so it can be subject to estate taxes if your estate is over the estate tax exemption, which is $5.49 million in 2017.

Also bear in mind that all this is based on the tax rules as they are now. Future tax rules regarding inherited IRAs may change, making certain strategies more or less advantageous.