Roth IRA Conversion
Estimate the approximate tax cost of converting traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA.
What is a Roth conversion?
A Roth conversion moves money from a traditional IRA (or similar pre-tax account) into a Roth IRA. You generally pay ordinary income tax on the amount converted in the year of the conversion. After that, qualified withdrawals from the Roth can be tax-free. People sometimes convert in years when their tax rate is relatively low, or to manage future RMDs — but whether it makes sense depends on your full tax picture, time horizon, and how you pay the tax.
Your Assumptions
Educational tax illustration only. This is not tax advice and not a recommendation to convert. See methodology and limitations below.
Illustrated Tax Cost
Estimated federal tax on conversion
Results depend entirely on the assumptions you enter. Read the full disclosure below.
How this calculator works
This tool multiplies the conversion amount you enter by a single marginal tax rate you enter to estimate federal tax on the conversion. If you choose to pay tax from outside the IRA, the full conversion amount is shown as landing in the Roth. If tax is withheld from the conversion, the estimated tax is subtracted from the amount shown as landing in the Roth.
Important limitations
- Uses one flat marginal rate. It does not model progressive brackets, state income tax, NIIT, Medicare IRMAA, capital gains interactions, or the pro-rata rule for after-tax basis.
- It does not determine whether a conversion is appropriate, how much to convert, or how to pay the tax.
- Withholding from a conversion can have additional consequences (including potential early-distribution issues under age 59½). This tool does not analyze those rules.
- Results are hypothetical estimates only. They are not a tax projection you should file from or rely on without professional review.
- This is not tax, legal, or investment advice and is not personalized to your return.
Roth conversion decisions should be reviewed with your tax professional and adviser before you act.