Quick Answer
Key Takeaways
- The 10-year rule (SECURE Act of 2019) requires most non-spouse beneficiaries to empty an inherited IRA by December 31 of the tenth year after the original owner's death
- The IRS 2024 final regulations (T.D. 10001) confirm that if the original owner had begun RMDs, the beneficiary must take annual RMDs in years 1-9, then empty the rest by year 10
- Five categories of "eligible designated beneficiaries" (EDBs) are exempt and can still stretch over their own life expectancy: spouses, minor children, disabled, chronically ill, and beneficiaries less than 10 years younger than the deceased
- The penalty for a missed RMD was reduced from 50% to 25% under SECURE 2.0, dropping to 10% if corrected within a two-year window
- The IRS waived enforcement of inherited-IRA RMDs from 2020-2024 via four successive notices; mandatory RMDs resume in tax year 2025
- A $500,000 inherited IRA withdrawn evenly costs approximately $15,000-$18,000 per year in federal tax for a typical middle-income beneficiary, versus $140,000+ if taken as a single year-10 lump sum
What is the 10-year rule for inherited IRAs? The SECURE Act of 2019 ended the "stretch IRA" for most non-spouse beneficiaries. Instead of taking required minimum distributions over the heir's own life expectancy (sometimes 40 or 50 years for a young beneficiary), most heirs must now empty an inherited IRA within 10 years of the original owner's death. The IRS final regulations published on July 19, 2024(opens in new tab) resolved a four-year ambiguity by confirming that if the original owner had already started RMDs, the heir must also take annual RMDs during years 1-9 using the IRS Single Life Table — not just empty the account by year 10. Mandatory enforcement begins with the 2025 tax year after multi-year IRS waivers.
From "Stretch IRA" to 10-Year Rule: What Changed in 2020
Before 2020, most heirs of an IRA could "stretch" required minimum distributions over their own remaining life expectancy. A 30-year-old beneficiary inheriting from a parent could potentially take small annual distributions for 50+ years, letting the bulk of the account grow tax-deferred (or tax-free in a Roth IRA) across decades.
Congress eliminated this for most heirs in the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019(opens in new tab), which took effect for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2020. The legislation accelerated tax collection on inherited retirement accounts by imposing a 10-year emptying deadline on most non-spouse beneficiaries.
What "Stretch" Meant Before 2020
Under pre-SECURE rules, an heir took annual RMDs calculated by dividing the prior-year-end balance by the IRS Single Life Expectancy factor for their age. The first-year factor for a 30-year-old was 55.3, meaning roughly 1.8% of the account had to come out in year one. The factor decreased by one each subsequent year, but if the account grew faster than the RMD percentage, the balance could actually increase over decades — extending tax-deferred growth far beyond the original owner's lifetime.
What the SECURE Act Changed
| Aspect | Pre-2020 ("Stretch IRA") | Post-2020 (SECURE Act) |
|---|---|---|
| Withdrawal window | Beneficiary's full life expectancy | 10 years |
| Annual RMD required? | Yes, every year | Only if original owner had begun RMDs |
| Spouse treatment | Roll over or stretch | Unchanged — roll over or stretch |
| Tax-deferred growth | Decades | Capped at ~10 years |
| Missed RMD penalty | 50% | 25% (10% if corrected) |
The Joint Committee on Taxation estimated the SECURE Act's stretch-IRA elimination would raise approximately $15.7 billion in federal revenue over 10 years — a direct measure of how much tax was being deferred under the old rules.1
Critically, the SECURE Act only applies to deaths occurring in 2020 or later. Beneficiaries who inherited before 2020 may continue using the pre-SECURE stretch rules.
Who Is Subject to the 10-Year Rule (and Who Is Not)
The SECURE Act created four beneficiary categories. Only one — the largest — is subject to the 10-year rule.
The Three Beneficiary Categories
| Category | Definition | Withdrawal Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Designated Beneficiary (EDB) | 5 specific categories (see below) | Life-expectancy stretch still allowed |
| Designated Beneficiary (DB) | Any other named individual | 10-year rule |
| Non-Designated Beneficiary | Estate, non-qualified trust, charity | 5-year rule (if pre-RBD) or ghost life expectancy (if post-RBD) |
The 5 Categories of Eligible Designated Beneficiaries (EDBs)
Heirs in these categories are exempt from the 10-year rule and may continue taking distributions over their own life expectancy (with one twist for minor children — see below).
- Surviving Spouse — May roll the inherited IRA into their own IRA (most common choice) or treat it as an inherited IRA and stretch. Spouses have the most flexibility.
- Minor Child of the Decedent — A child of the original owner who has not yet reached the "age of majority" (uniformly age 21 under the IRS 2024 final regulations, regardless of state law variations). Once the child reaches 21, the 10-year clock starts — they must empty the account by age 31.
- Disabled Individual — As defined under IRC Section 72(m)(7) — unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to physical or mental impairment expected to be long-continued and of indefinite duration, or to result in death. Documentation required.
- Chronically Ill Individual — As defined under IRC Section 7702B(c)(2) — unable to perform at least two activities of daily living for at least 90 days, or requires substantial supervision due to severe cognitive impairment. A licensed health-care practitioner's certification is required.
- Beneficiary Not More Than 10 Years Younger — Any individual whose age is within 10 years of the decedent's age. This typically covers siblings, partners, and similar-aged friends.
Crucially, adult children of the deceased — historically the most common inherited-IRA beneficiaries — are not EDBs under SECURE. They fall into the "Designated Beneficiary" bucket and are fully subject to the 10-year rule.
Important: Documenting EDB Status
The IRS 2024 final regulations require beneficiaries to provide documentation of their EDB status to the IRA custodian — typically a physician's letter for disabled or chronically ill claims. The status is determined as of the original owner's date of death and is permanent (with the exception of minor children, who lose EDB status at age 21).
Do You Take Annual RMDs in Years 1-9? The 2024 Final Regs Verdict
From 2020 through 2023, the most-debated question about inherited IRAs was: "If the 10-year rule applies, do I also have to take annual RMDs in years 1 through 9, or can I wait and withdraw it all in year 10?" The IRS finally resolved this in the final regulations published July 19, 2024(opens in new tab).
The Answer Depends on the Original Owner's RBD
The "required beginning date" (RBD) is the date the original owner was first required to take RMDs. Under SECURE 2.0, the RBD is April 1 of the year after the owner turns 73 (or 75 for those born in 1960 or later).
| Original Owner's Status at Death | Annual RMDs in Years 1-9? | Year 10 Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Died before their RBD (had not started RMDs) | No — full flexibility | Account must be empty by 12/31 of year 10 |
| Died on or after their RBD (had started RMDs) | Yes — required each year | Account must be empty by 12/31 of year 10 |
| Inherited Roth IRA (any death timing) | No — Roth IRAs have no RBD | Account must be empty by 12/31 of year 10 |
How to Calculate the Annual RMD (When Required)
For an inherited Traditional IRA where the original owner had started RMDs:
- Year 1 (year after death): Take prior-year-end balance ÷ Single Life Table factor for your age in year 1
- Years 2-9: Reduce that initial factor by one each subsequent year (do not look up a new factor)
- Year 10: Empty the entire remaining balance
The IRS Single Life Table appears in Publication 590-B(opens in new tab), Appendix B. For example, a 45-year-old beneficiary's first-year factor is 41.0, meaning the year-one RMD is roughly 2.4% of the prior-year-end balance.
The Multi-Year IRS Waivers (2020-2024)
Because the IRS did not finalize regulations until 2024, it issued automatic penalty waivers for inherited-IRA RMDs in Notice 2022-53(opens in new tab), Notice 2023-54(opens in new tab), Notice 2024-35(opens in new tab), and Notice 2025-15. Beneficiaries who missed years 1-4 RMDs during this window do not owe make-up distributions or penalties. Required annual RMDs resume in tax year 2025.
The 25% Excise Tax for Missed RMDs (and How to Reduce It to 10%)
Before SECURE 2.0, missing an RMD triggered a draconian 50% excise tax on the amount that should have been distributed. The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022(opens in new tab) reduced this in two ways:
- Base penalty reduced to 25% of the missed RMD amount
- Further reduced to 10% if the beneficiary corrects the missed distribution within a 2-year correction window and files Form 5329(opens in new tab)
How the Penalty Math Works
Example: Missed $20,000 RMD
- Required distribution: $20,000
- Amount actually taken: $0
- Shortfall: $20,000
- Pre-SECURE 2.0 penalty (50%): $10,000
- Post-SECURE 2.0 base penalty (25%): $5,000
- Reduced penalty if corrected within 2 years (10%): $2,000
The corrected-in-time penalty is 80% lower than the pre-SECURE 2.0 amount. Plus, the original $20,000 RMD must still be distributed and is taxed as ordinary income in the year actually received.
The Correction Process (Form 5329)
- Take the missed distribution as soon as you discover the error
- File Form 5329 with your tax return for the year the RMD was missed
- Attach a brief written explanation requesting waiver of the penalty under "reasonable error" (the IRS often grants full waivers for first-time mistakes corrected promptly)
- If the IRS does not waive entirely, the 10% reduced rate applies if corrected within 2 years
The IRS has historically been lenient on first-time RMD errors that are promptly corrected — IRS RMD FAQ guidance(opens in new tab) explicitly invites taxpayers to request waivers via Form 5329.
Tax-Smart Withdrawal Strategies for the 10-Year Window
Even when annual RMDs are not required (Roth IRA or owner who died pre-RBD), choosing when to take distributions during the 10-year window dramatically affects total tax. The worst strategy is almost always a year-10 lump sum.
Three Withdrawal Strategies Compared
Consider a beneficiary inheriting a $500,000 Traditional IRA with the original owner having died before their RBD (no annual RMDs required, so full flexibility). The beneficiary is in the 22% bracket on existing income. Assume 6% annual growth on the unwithdrawn balance.
| Strategy | Withdrawal Pattern | Approx. Total Federal Tax | After-Tax Proceeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year-10 Lump Sum | $0/year for 9 years, then ~$895,000 in year 10 | ~$280,000 | ~$615,000 |
| Even 10-Year Spread | ~$67,900/year for 10 years (varies with growth) | ~$150,000 | ~$535,000 |
| Bracket-Filled Strategy | Variable: fill 22%/24% brackets in some years, take less in high-income years | ~$130,000 | ~$555,000 |
Note: Figures are approximate and assume 2026 federal brackets for a single filer with $80,000 of other taxable income before the inheritance. Actual results vary with state tax, ACA subsidy thresholds, Social Security taxation, and Medicare IRMAA brackets.
The lump-sum strategy looks superficially appealing — the balance grows untouched for nine years — but the year-10 distribution adds roughly $895,000 of ordinary income on top of existing wages, pushing nearly all of it into the 32% and 35% brackets. Even with a higher pre-tax balance, the after-tax proceeds are worse than the even-spread strategy because of bracket creep.
The "Bracket Filling" Approach
The optimal strategy is usually to take just enough each year to "fill" your current marginal bracket without pushing into a higher one. The 2026 federal brackets for a single filer are:
| Marginal Rate | Taxable Income Range (Single) | Withdrawal Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| 12% | $12,150 – $49,300 | Maximize withdrawals in low-income years |
| 22% | $49,300 – $103,350 | Sweet spot for most middle-income heirs |
| 24% | $103,350 – $197,300 | Acceptable if necessary to clear the 10-year window |
| 32%+ | $197,300+ | Generally avoid — defer to lower-bracket years where possible |
Sources: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11 (2026 inflation adjustments) and IRS Tax Inflation Adjustments for 2026(opens in new tab).
Other Coordination Points
- ACA premium subsidies: Inherited IRA distributions count as Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for marketplace subsidy calculations. Large withdrawals can eliminate subsidies.
- Medicare IRMAA brackets: If you are 63 or older, distributions feed into the IRMAA look-back two years later. A spike in MAGI can push you into higher Part B and Part D premiums.
- Social Security taxation: Up to 85% of Social Security benefits become taxable when combined income exceeds $34,000 single / $44,000 MFJ. Distributions can trigger this threshold.
- State income tax: Inherited IRA distributions are taxed as ordinary income in most states. Some states (e.g., Florida, Texas) have no state income tax.
- Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT): The 3.8% NIIT does not apply to IRA distributions (they are not investment income), so this is one mercy.
Spouse-Specific Rules: Three Options for a Surviving Spouse
A surviving spouse has more flexibility than any other beneficiary class. The choice among options matters substantially.
| Option | Mechanism | RMD Trigger | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spousal Rollover (most common) | Roll into spouse's own IRA | Spouse's own RBD (age 73 or 75) | Spouse younger than 59½ not needing access; long deferral |
| Treat as Inherited IRA | Keep titled as inherited | Year deceased spouse would have turned 73/75, OR Single Life Table from year 1 | Spouse under 59½ who needs access without 10% penalty |
| Disclaim | Refuse inheritance within 9 months | Account passes to contingent beneficiary | Spouse with own large estate planning needs |
Why the Rollover Is Usually Best
When a spouse rolls an inherited IRA into their own IRA, the account loses all "inherited IRA" treatment and is treated as if the surviving spouse had always owned it. This means:
- RMDs begin only when the surviving spouse reaches their own RBD (age 73 under SECURE 2.0, age 75 for those born in 1960 or later)
- The spouse can name their own beneficiaries (typically children), restarting the 10-year clock for the next generation
- Roth IRA conversions become available without the inherited-IRA complications
When to Keep It Titled as an Inherited IRA
The main reason for a spouse to keep the account titled as inherited is to access funds before age 59½ without the 10% early withdrawal penalty. Inherited IRA distributions are exempt from the 10% penalty regardless of the beneficiary's age (under IRC Section 72(t)(2)(A)(ii)(opens in new tab)), while a rollover IRA is subject to the penalty until 59½.
SECURE 2.0 Election: New Spouse Option in Section 327
Section 327 of SECURE 2.0 (effective starting in 2024) gives surviving spouses a new option: elect to be treated as if they were the deceased spouse for RMD purposes. This can extend tax deferral when the deceased spouse was younger and would have had a later RBD. Discuss with a tax advisor — the election is irrevocable.
Inherited Roth IRAs: The 10-Year Rule Still Applies (but Differently)
A common misconception is that Roth IRAs are exempt from the 10-year rule because they have no required minimum distributions during the original owner's lifetime. This is wrong. The 10-year rule applies to inherited Roth IRAs just as it does to Traditional IRAs — but with two important differences.
Two Key Differences for Inherited Roth IRAs
- No annual RMDs in years 1-9. Because Roth IRAs have no required beginning date for the original owner, the "post-RBD" rule that triggers annual RMDs during the 10-year window never applies. Beneficiaries have full flexibility on timing.
- Qualified distributions are tax-free. If the original owner had held any Roth IRA for at least 5 years before death, all distributions from the inherited Roth IRA are tax-free regardless of how long the beneficiary holds it. If the 5-year rule was not yet satisfied at death, the beneficiary continues the original owner's holding period — they do not start over.
The Optimal Strategy for an Inherited Roth IRA
For most beneficiaries, the best strategy with an inherited Roth IRA is to wait until year 10 and withdraw the entire balance as a single tax-free distribution. Because the funds grow tax-free for the full 10 years and the distribution itself is not taxable income, there is no bracket-management benefit to earlier withdrawals.
Exceptions where earlier withdrawals make sense:
- You need the money for immediate expenses
- You expect a significant decline in the underlying investments and want to lock in gains
- You plan to use the funds for an asset class with higher expected returns outside a tax-advantaged account
Complete Example: $500,000 Inherited IRA, 10-Year Withdrawal Plan
Profile: Sarah, Age 45, Inherits from Her Mother
- Inherited IRA balance at death (12/31/2025): $500,000 Traditional IRA
- Mother's age at death: 78 (already taking RMDs — post-RBD)
- Sarah's beneficiary category: Designated Beneficiary (adult child, not an EDB)
- 10-year deadline: December 31, 2035
- Sarah's filing status: Single
- Sarah's other taxable income: $85,000 (in the 22% bracket)
- Assumed account growth: 6% annually
Step 1: Calculate the Year-1 RMD
Because Sarah's mother had begun RMDs (post-RBD), Sarah must take annual RMDs in years 1-9. Sarah's age in year 1 (2026) is 45. From the IRS Single Life Table:
- Year 1 factor (age 45): 41.0
- Year 1 RMD: $500,000 ÷ 41.0 = $12,195
Subsequent years reduce the factor by one (subtract one from the year-1 factor, not look up a new factor):
| Year | Age | Factor | Min. RMD | Sarah's Actual Withdrawal Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 45 | 41.0 | $12,195 | Take RMD only ($12,195); fill 22% bracket |
| 2027 | 46 | 40.0 | $13,000 | Take ~$18,000 (fill 22% bracket) |
| 2028 | 47 | 39.0 | $13,900 | Take ~$18,000 |
| 2029 | 48 | 38.0 | $14,700 | Take ~$18,000 |
| 2030 | 49 | 37.0 | $15,400 | Take ~$18,000 |
| 2031 | 50 | 36.0 | $15,900 | Take ~$60,000 (planned career sabbatical, lower income year) |
| 2032 | 51 | 35.0 | $15,200 | Take ~$40,000 |
| 2033 | 52 | 34.0 | $14,200 | Take ~$40,000 |
| 2034 | 53 | 33.0 | $13,000 | Take ~$40,000 |
| 2035 | 54 | 32.0 | Remaining balance | Empty account (~$310,000 remaining) |
This plan respects all annual RMDs, spreads withdrawals to keep Sarah in or near her existing 22% bracket through most years, and uses a planned 2031 sabbatical year (with lower wage income) to accelerate withdrawals at a lower marginal rate.
The year-10 final withdrawal will be larger, but by withdrawing ~$300,000 over the prior nine years, Sarah avoids the worst lump-sum scenario where the entire $895,000 (compounded balance) would hit her 2035 tax return at once.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Treating the Account as Your Own (Non-Spouse Beneficiaries)
Only a surviving spouse can roll an inherited IRA into their own IRA. A non-spouse beneficiary who tries to retitle the account in their own name (rather than as "John Smith, Deceased, IRA F/B/O Jane Smith Beneficiary") triggers an immediate full taxable distribution of the entire balance — a catastrophic mistake. Always ensure the custodian titles the account correctly.
2. Missing the Annual RMD When Required
If the original owner had started RMDs, you must take annual distributions in years 1-9 starting with tax year 2025. The IRS waivers from 2020-2024 do not extend further. Set up automated distributions with your custodian and confirm the calculation each year.
3. Waiting Until Year 10 for a Large Lump Sum
As demonstrated in Section 6, year-10 lump sums often trigger 32%+ marginal brackets and can wipe out ACA subsidies, push Social Security benefits to 85% taxable, and trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges. Spread distributions across the 10-year window unless you have a specific reason not to.
4. Confusing the 5-Year and 10-Year Rules
The 5-year rule applies to non-designated beneficiaries (estates, charities, non-qualified trusts) when the original owner died before their RBD. It is distinct from the 10-year rule for designated beneficiaries. Confusing them can lead to drastically wrong distribution schedules.
5. Forgetting State Income Tax
Inherited IRA distributions are taxed as ordinary income in most states. State rates range from 0% (Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Nevada, Washington, South Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska, New Hampshire) to over 13% (California, Hawaii). If you have flexibility, consider whether a state-residence change before large withdrawals is appropriate.
6. Co-mingling Multiple Inherited IRAs
If you inherit IRAs from different decedents (e.g., one from your mother and one from your father in separate years), you cannot combine them into a single inherited IRA. They must remain separate accounts with separate distribution schedules, each tracked to its own original owner.
7. Naming the Estate as Beneficiary
If you are the original IRA owner, naming "my estate" as beneficiary (or letting the IRA pass through the estate by default) eliminates all designated-beneficiary treatment for your heirs — forcing them into the much harsher 5-year rule (pre-RBD) or "ghost life expectancy" (post-RBD) regime. Always name individual beneficiaries directly on the IRA paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 10-year rule, established by the SECURE Act of 2019, requires most non-spouse beneficiaries to empty an inherited IRA by December 31 of the tenth year after the original owner's death. Under the IRS final regulations issued in July 2024, if the original owner had already started taking required minimum distributions (RMDs), the beneficiary must also take annual RMDs during years 1 through 9 using the IRS Single Life Table, and then empty the remaining balance by year 10. If the original owner died before their RBD, no annual RMDs are required in years 1-9. Use our IRA Calculator to model different withdrawal patterns.
Five categories of "eligible designated beneficiaries" (EDBs) are exempt from the 10-year rule and may still use the life-expectancy stretch: (1) surviving spouses, (2) minor children of the deceased (until age 21 under the IRS 2024 final regulations), (3) disabled individuals as defined by IRC Section 72(m)(7), (4) chronically ill individuals as defined by IRC Section 7702B(c)(2), and (5) beneficiaries less than 10 years younger than the deceased. Adult children of the deceased are not EDBs and are fully subject to the 10-year rule.
It depends on whether the original owner had already begun RMDs at death. If yes (typically meaning they had reached their required beginning date of age 73 under SECURE 2.0), then under the IRS 2024 final regulations you must take annual RMDs in years 1 through 9 calculated using the IRS Single Life Table, then empty the account by year 10. If the original owner died before their required beginning date, you have full flexibility on withdrawal timing as long as the account is emptied by year 10.
Under SECURE 2.0, the excise tax on missed RMDs was reduced from 50% to 25% of the shortfall, and to 10% if corrected within a two-year correction window and reported on Form 5329. The IRS provided automatic penalty waivers for missed inherited IRA RMDs from 2020 through 2024 in Notices 2022-53, 2023-54, 2024-35, and 2025-15. Required annual inherited IRA RMDs are enforced starting tax year 2025 for accounts subject to the 10-year rule with required annual RMDs.
Only a surviving spouse can roll an inherited IRA into their own IRA. Non-spouse beneficiaries cannot — the inherited IRA must remain titled as an inherited IRA (e.g., "John Smith, Deceased, IRA F/B/O Jane Smith Beneficiary"). A non-spouse beneficiary who tries to retitle the account in their own name triggers an immediate full taxable distribution of the entire balance. A spouse who chooses to treat the inherited IRA as their own benefits from delaying RMDs until their own required beginning date.
The most tax-efficient strategy is to spread withdrawals as evenly as possible across the 10-year window rather than waiting until year 10 — large lump-sum distributions can push you into much higher marginal brackets and trigger ACA subsidy cliffs, Social Security taxation, and Medicare IRMAA surcharges. Coordinate withdrawals with low-income years, planned Roth conversions, and other income events. For a $500,000 inherited IRA, even withdrawals of approximately $60,000-$75,000 per year (assuming modest growth) typically keep most beneficiaries in the 22% or 24% bracket, versus a year-10 lump sum that could trigger the 32% or 35% bracket.
Yes — non-eligible designated beneficiaries must empty an inherited Roth IRA by December 31 of the tenth year after the original owner's death, just like a Traditional IRA. However, because Roth IRAs have no required beginning date for the original owner, there are no annual RMDs required in years 1 through 9 — you have full flexibility. Qualified distributions from an inherited Roth IRA remain income-tax-free, so most beneficiaries should wait until year 10 to maximize tax-free growth.
Sources
Plan Your Inherited IRA Withdrawals
Model different distribution patterns across the 10-year window and see how withdrawal timing affects your total tax burden. The IRA Calculator supports inherited IRA scenarios with both required and flexible distribution schedules.
- SECURE Act of 2019 (H.R. 1994, Public Law 116-94) — Section 401, 10-Year Rule(opens in new tab)
- SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (H.R. 2954, Public Law 117-328) — Sections 302 and 327(opens in new tab)
- IRS Final Regulations on Required Minimum Distributions (T.D. 10001, July 19, 2024)(opens in new tab)
- IRS Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)(opens in new tab)
- IRS — Retirement Topics: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)(opens in new tab)
- IRS — Exceptions to Tax on Early Distributions (IRC Section 72(t))(opens in new tab)
- IRS — About Form 5329 (Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans)(opens in new tab)
- IRS Notice 2022-53 — RMD Penalty Relief (PDF)(opens in new tab)
- IRS Notice 2023-54 — Additional RMD Penalty Relief (PDF)(opens in new tab)
- IRS Notice 2024-35 — Continued RMD Penalty Relief (PDF)(opens in new tab)
- IRS — Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2026(opens in new tab)
- Fidelity — Inherited IRA Rules and Strategies(opens in new tab)
- Vanguard — Inheriting an IRA(opens in new tab)
- Joint Committee on Taxation — Revenue Estimate of the SECURE Act (JCX-25-19)(opens in new tab) 1
Important Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Inherited IRA rules are complex and depend on many factors specific to your situation, including the original owner's age at death, your beneficiary classification, your state of residence, and your overall tax picture. The IRS 2024 final regulations contain numerous provisions not covered in this summary. You should consult with a qualified tax professional, CPA, or estate planning attorney before making distribution decisions on an inherited IRA. While we strive for accuracy, laws and regulations change frequently. Data current as of May 2026.
Content reviewed by the Digital Calculator Team. Learn more about our accuracy standards.