Calculate Your Required Minimum Distribution From IRAs

Use this calculator to determine your required minimum distributions (RMD) from a traditional IRA. The SECURE Act of 2019 raised the age for taking RMDs from 70 ½ to 72 for those born after July 1, 1949

You’ll need to input your age at the end of 2022 and the total balance of your traditional IRA accounts as of December 31, 2021. Keep in mind that  Roth IRAs do not have required minimum distributions. So you should not include the balances from any Roth IRA accounts.

Also, note that the IRS updated its uniform lifetime table, which is used to calculate RMDs, at the beginning of 2022. The change is meant to account for longer life expectancies. Consequently, your  RMDs should be slightly smaller each year than they would have been under the calculations from the previous table.

If you're married and your spouse is more than 10 years younger than you are — and is named as the sole beneficiary on at least one of your IRAs — the RMD will be less than what this calculator shows. Consult a financial planner for more details.

The withdrawal required for your first  RMD,  must be made by April 1 after the year you turn 72. All subsequent  RMD withdrawals must be taken by Dec. 31 each year. For instance, if you turn 72 in 2022, you have until April 1, 2023 to take your first RMD. Then you would have to take your second one by Dec. 31, 2023. Your third RMD would be due by Dec. 31, 2024, the fourth by Dec. 31, 2025. And so on.

If you’re considering taking your first RMD between Jan. 1 and April 1 after you reach 72, just remember this means you will be taking two RMDs that year. Taking two RMDs in a single year could put you into a higher tax bracket, meaning a larger portion of your Social Security income could be subject to taxes. You could also be required to pay higher taxes on income from other sources, such as pensions. Moreover, you could  be made to pay more for Medicare Part B or Part D.

To determine the best time taxwise to take your first RMD, compare your tax bills under the two available scenarios: taking the first RMD in the year you hit 72, and delaying until the following year and doubling up RMDs. 

Once you’re required to do so, make  sure you take your full RMD every year. If you don’t,  you will get hit with a 50% penalty on the amount you were supposed to take out, but didn’t. For instance, if you were supposed to withdraw $18,000 but only took out $14,000, you would owe a $2,000 penalty plus income tax on the shortfall. 

But the IRS is known to be fairly lenient in these situations, and you may be able to get the penalty waived by filling out Form 5329, and providing a letter of explanation that describes the steps you took to remedy your error. One way to avoid a problem: Ask your IRA custodian to automatically withdraw your RMDs.