Retirement · Tax Planning
Roth Conversion Calculator
Updated October 5, 2026 · See the tax cost, break-even year, and Medicare IRMAA risk before you convert.
Your Results
Total Tax on Conversion
Effective rate: —
Assumptions applied
How Your Conversion Tax Is Calculated
Converting $50,000 at 23.8% total tax owes about $11,886 in federal & state taxes. Roth break-even: Never.
Typical scenario — enter your details above for your personalized estimate.
Tax Bracket Impact
Break-Even Analysis
Assumes you pay the conversion tax from savings outside the IRA. If you did not convert, that money would stay invested at the same return, so the advantage is the Roth value minus both lines above. Taxes on that outside growth are not modeled. Break-even is the first year this advantage is zero or better. With rates that stay the same it is either right away or never, because growth enlarges the gap without changing which side is ahead.
$0
Maximum to stay in current tax bracket.
Not Tax or Investment Advice — IRS Circular 230 Notice: To comply with requirements imposed by the IRS under Circular 230, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax information provided by this calculator is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any tax-related matter.
This calculator does not provide investment advice, retirement planning services, or fiduciary guidance. Projections assume constant rates of return and do not account for market volatility, sequence-of-returns risk, or changes in tax law. This tool is not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. Consult a qualified tax professional and financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How This Calculator Works
1. Enter Account & Income
Input your Traditional IRA / 401(k) balance, conversion amount, current income, and expected retirement income to model your tax situation.
2. See Tax Impact
View the federal and state tax on your conversion, your effective rate, and how the conversion affects your tax bracket.
3. Compare Scenarios
See when Roth breaks even versus Traditional, projected values at retirement, and whether conversion makes financial sense.
Understanding Roth Conversions
A Roth conversion moves money from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth IRA. You pay taxes on the converted amount now, but qualified withdrawals from Roth accounts are completely tax-free in retirement.
When Conversion Makes Sense
- You expect higher tax rates in retirement
- You're in a temporarily low income year
- You want to reduce future RMD obligations
- You want tax-free inheritance for beneficiaries
- You have cash outside retirement to pay the tax
Important Considerations
- 5-year rule: Each conversion has its own 5-year clock
- No undo: Since 2018, conversions cannot be reversed
- IRMAA: Large conversions can increase Medicare premiums
- Bracket jumping: Consider partial conversions over multiple years
Frequently Asked Questions
A Roth conversion is when you move money from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth IRA. You pay income taxes on the converted amount now, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
Yes, the converted amount is added to your taxable income for the year. You pay federal and state income taxes on the conversion. The tax is calculated at your marginal rate, which may push you into a higher bracket.
In this calculator it comes down to two rates: the tax rate you expect to pay on the money in retirement, and the effective (average) rate you pay to convert it now. If the retirement rate is at or above the rate you pay now, converting breaks even right away. If it is below, converting does not catch up while the rates stay the same: growth makes both paths bigger but does not change which one is ahead. Use the calculator to see your break-even year and the size of the gap.
Each Roth conversion has its own 5-year clock. If you withdraw converted funds before 5 years AND before age 59½, you may owe a 10% early withdrawal penalty on the converted amount (the tax portion was already paid).
No, as of 2018, Roth conversions can no longer be undone (recharacterized). Before converting, carefully consider the tax implications since the decision is permanent.
A large Roth conversion increases your MAGI, which can trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges 2 years later. For example, a 2024 conversion affects 2026 Medicare premiums. Our calculator shows IRMAA warnings for those age 63 and older.
Converting all at once could push you into a much higher tax bracket. Consider spreading conversions over multiple years to stay in lower brackets. Our calculator shows the optimal conversion amount to stay in your current bracket.
Related Retirement Calculators
Related Guides
Official Sources
- IRS Publication 590-A: Contributions to IRAs (opens in new tab) — Official IRS guidance on contribution rules, deduction eligibility, and Traditional-to-Roth conversion mechanics.
- IRS Publication 590-B: Distributions from IRAs (opens in new tab) — Distribution rules including the 5-year rule for Roth conversions, early withdrawal penalties, and RMD requirements.
- Medicare Costs and IRMAA Information (opens in new tab) — Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharges that apply to Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for higher-income beneficiaries.
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