The hot topic in income tax and estate planning is converting traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs. When this occurs, the IRA is income taxed at the time of the conversion at the IRA owner’s ordinary income tax rate. Typically, the income tax is paid out of the traditional IRA funds reducing the benefit of the Roth Conversion.
David Garrison and I have been discussing over the last number of months using a taxpayer’s home equity to pay the income taxes on the Roth Conversion. Here’s how it works:
The taxpayer converts $1,000,000 Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. On the conversion, the taxpayer is going to incur approximately $400,000 of income taxes depending on his or her state (this perhaps can be reduced by staging the Roth Conversion over a number of years).
The benefits of a Roth Conversion are:
- Invested funds in a Roth IRA are not subject to Required Minimum Distributions (“RMDs”)
- Funds can be withdrawn tax-free during life or after death, which is a significant benefit if you want to combine your Roth IRAs on your death with protection planning using trusts for the benefit of your children
- Funds in a Roth IRA grow tax free until 10 years after the death of the Owner (subject to certain other complex rules that require small RMDs after Roth IRA owner’s death if death occurs after age 72, and the shorting of the 10-year period if death occurs in the owner’s 80s)
The downside of the above strategy is how is the taxpayer going to pay the income tax without selling capital gain assets such as stocks in an investment account causing additional income taxes or depleting the converted Traditional IRA funds reducing the benefits of the Roth Conversion.
An alternative that everyone should explore is using a HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, also know as a reverse mortgage). The HECM depending on the age of the owners of the home and equity available in the home may provide the funds necessary to pay of the income taxes on the Roth Conversion without causing additional income taxes. Additionally, a HECM requires no monthly principal and interest payments which provides for maximum efficiency of the Roth Conversion strategy. This is a strategy that everyone should be considering when contemplating a Roth Conversion.
This Article is for education purposes only and are not intended, and should not be relied upon, as legal or accounting advice.
Pursuant to Circular 230 promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, please be advised that this article is not intended or written to be used, and that it cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding federal tax penalties unless otherwise expressly indicated.
Brian A. Eagle, managing partner of the law firm of Eagle & Fein, P.C. is celebrating 30 years of serving clients. Brian inspires families to plan to meet their goals and objectives based on a unique process that focuses on the definition of proper planning.
https://eagleandfein.com/
David Garrison
Home Equity Retirement Specialist
NMLS # 1595194
Serving the State of Indiana
p (317) 644-2595 c (765) 516-0130
e [email protected]
2169 East Rutland Lane, Martinsville, IN 46151
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