If you missed the deadline for taking your required minimum distributions (RMD)s, you will owe the IRS an excess accumulation penalty of 50 percent of the shortfall. The IRS will waive the penalty, if the deadline was missed due to “reasonable cause”. The following is a summary of the applicable rules:
Deadline for Taking an RMD
- Retirement Account Owners
Usually December 31 of the year to which the RMD applies.
Exceptions:
oFor the year that you reach age 70½, the RMD for that year can be taken as late as April 1 of the following year
oIf you are past age 70½ and still working for an employer that sponsors a qualified retirement plan, 403(b) or governmental 457(b) plan, your RMD can be deferred past age 70 ½ until retirement- if allowed under the plan. Your first RMD would be due for the year that you retire, but can be withdrawal as late as April 1 of the following year.
- Beneficiaries
oIf you are taking distributions under the life expectancy rule and the retirement account owner died before the current year, your RMD for this year must be withdrawn by year-end
oIf you are taking distributions under five year rule and the five year period expires at the end of this year, the entire account balance must be withdrawn by the end of this year.
For more on RMD deadlines, see the articles Meet Your RMD Deadline or You Will Owe the IRS Penalties! and How to Calculate RMD Amount.
What to do if the RMD is not taken by the Deadline
If you miss the deadline, you may:
- Pay the IRS the penalty. This is calculated on IRS Form 5329 (under the section labeled “Additional Tax on Excess Accumulation in Qualified Retirement Plans (Including IRAs)” and reported in the ‘other taxes’ section of the individual’s tax return (Form 1040)..
- Ask the IRS to waive the penalty. The IRS can waive the penalty, if you can show ‘reasonable cause’ for not taking the RMD or demonstrate that the shortfall was due to ‘reasonable error’. Form 5329 is also filed to request the waiver.
More information…
