Do you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? Are you 70 years or older? If so, congress passed tax legislation late last year in the Setting Everyone Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) with changes that will benefit you in 2020.
Before December 31, 2019, you were not able to make traditional IRA contributions after you turned 70½. Now the SECURE Act allows you to continue to contribute to your IRA as long as you have earned income. This is a benefit but there are complications if you make qualified charitable distributions from your IRA after 2019.
Another change is related to the IRA distributions. Prior to December 31, 2019, you had to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your IRA or qualified retirement plan in the year you turned 70 ½. Starting in 2020, you can put off taking the RMDs until you reach 72. This change is only available to individuals who turn 70 ½ in 2020 or later. If you turned 70 ½ prior to 2020, you are still required to take the RMDs or be subject to a penalty.
There was also a change to the Required Minimum Distribution on inherited IRA’s. In the past, the RMDs could be extended out over several years depending on the beneficiary of the IRA. The Secure Act has eliminated the RMD each year but the IRA must be fully distributed by the end of the 10th calendar year following the year of death. There are some exceptions to this rule including distributions to the surviving spouse and minor children but for others, there is the 10 year distribution limit.
If you are near 70 years old or older and have an IRA, give us a call. Let us help to ensure you are getting the best tax benefits from your IRA.