Inherited IRA Calculator

Inherited a traditional IRA from someone who was not your spouse? Find out what you must take out this year, and by when the account must be empty.

Which rules apply to an inherited IRA

Most people who inherit an IRA must empty it within 10 years. Some must also take money out every year along the way. A few, such as heirs close in age to the owner, can spread withdrawals over their lifetime instead.

Which group you are in depends on a few dates. Enter them and this calculator works it out.

This calculator is for people who inherited a traditional IRA from someone who was not their spouse.

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The IRS uses last year's closing balance, not today's.
This decides which set of rules applies.
Does one of these describe you?
If you are no more than 10 years younger than the owner, you don't need to pick anything. The calculator works that out from the dates.

Worth knowing

  • Spouses have more choices, such as treating the IRA as their own. This calculator does not cover them.
  • Inherited Roth IRAs follow different rules and are not covered here.
  • Each year's amount must be taken by December 31.
  • If several people inherited the same IRA, or it passed through a trust or an estate, the rules can differ.
  • Withdrawals from an inherited traditional IRA are taxed as ordinary income.

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This calculator covers non-spouse heirs of a traditional IRA and uses the IRS Single Life Expectancy Table. It is not tax advice. If you inherited through a trust or an estate, share the account with other heirs, or are older than the owner was, check the amount with a tax professional.