Some good news for early bird RMDs
When I wrote about the suspension of required minimum distributions for 2020 by the CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, I received a number of emails from readers who could not take advantage. They had taken their RMDs earlier in the year. There was no way for them to redeposit their RMDs if they couldn’t meet the rollover rules, which had two barriers: a 60- day time limit and a once- ina- 12- month- period limitation.
W. E. was affected: “My 2020 RMDs were received after the 2020 RMD Suspension was retroactively in effect, but before it was announced on 3/ 27/ 2020. Since the suspension of 2020 RMD was intended to benefit all seniors by reducing their 2020 tax burden and help to preserve their battered 401( k) s, I feel that I should be entitled to take full advantage afforded me being able to return and reverse my 2020 RMDs.”
He continued, “Can you make any suggestions on how seniors in my position, having received multiple suspended 2020 RMDs before the 2020 RMD Suspension was announced, can receive fair treatment and fully benefit from the CARES ACT?”
W. E., I have good news for you. On June 23, 2020, the IRS came through when it issued Notice 202051 ( at tinyurl. com/ y8o2zxjp).
The 60- day rollover period for RMDs in 2020 has been waived as well as the 12- month rule for anyone who has taken their RMDs so far this year. But, you have to do the rollover before Aug. 31.
Here is some background.
First, a taxpayer who is subject to RMDs in 2020 from a defined- contribution retirement plan, including a 401( k), 403( b) plan, or an IRA ( but not a defined benefit plan), can skip RMDs this year. This includes anyone who turned age 70 1/ 2 in 2019 and would have had to take the first RMD by April 1, 2020.
Second, anyone who took RMDs in 2020 and would like to “undo” them has until Aug. 31, 2020 to redeposit the RMDs. That is, an IRA owner or beneficiary who has already received a distribution from an IRA of an amount that would have been an RMD in 2020 can repay the distribution to the IRA by Aug. 31, 2020. There is no limit on the number of rollovers if you withdrew moneys multiple times or from multiple IRAs and other tax deferred accounts.
The notice also makes clear that RMDs from inherited IRAs are also eligible to roll over under Notice 2020- 51.
Another reader, R. R., asked an important question: If he doesn’t take his 2020 RMDs, will he be required to take two RMDs in 2021? The answer is no. This is a suspension of 2020 RMDs, not a delay.
L. B. wrote: “I moved a large sum of money from my IRA into my cash account on Jan. 2 this year. With the new ruling I’d like to move it back to my IRA. Can I?” Now that we have Notice 2020- 51, the answer is yes, but you must act before Aug. 31.
J. B. asked whether he call use the 2020 RMD he already withdrew to do a Roth conversion? The answer is yes. Since the RMD J. B. took in 2020 no longer has the character of an RMD ( since RMDs are suspended), there is no restriction against using those moneys to convert to a Roth. The conversion will be taxable.
So, all in all, this is very good news for early bird RMDs.
We can all agree with Melissa Ridolfi, vice president of retirement and college products at Fidelity Investments, who said, “The fact the IRS has extended the date for retirees to repay a distribution into their IRA — up to Aug. 31
— is welcome news.”
Finally, I’m attaching a very short video on the subject. Let me know if you would like to see more videos of this type, which I expect to post on my website ( juliejason. com). tinyurl. com/ video626 Write to me at readers@ juliejason. com.
Julie Jason, JD, LLM, a personal money manager ( Jackson, Grant of Stamford) and author, welcomes your questions/ comments ( readers@ juliejason. com). Her awards include the 2018 Clarion Award, symbolizing excellence in clear, concise communications. Her latest book, a curated collection of Julie’s columns, is “Retire Securely: Insights on Money Management From an Award- Winning Financial Columnist.” To hear Julie speak, visit juliejason. com/ events.
directive that placed its operations on the state’s list of “essential” services.
Long- term questions
Despite COVID- 19’ s fast- rising toll in Florida, Orlando seems likely to remain the hub of WWE’s production for the foreseeable future. Company officials have not said yet when they might resume their arena entertainment.
Early results suggested that the move to Orlando had not significantly diminished fans’ interest.
The company said it set WrestleMania week viewership records in early April with more than 967 million video views across digital and social platforms, a 20 percent increase from 2019. A record 46 million hours of content were consumed during the week, up 28 percent year over year.
WrestleMania week also contributed to a bump in the total number of subscribers for the WWE Network: Its subscriber base reached 2.1 million on April 6 — up 5 percent from the day after the 2019 WrestleMania.
“Barring a massive plunge in TV ratings, the company would do well to keep some level of production at their current facility,” said Daniel Durbin, director of the University of Southern California’s Institute of Sports, Media and Society. “They can control the venue more fully than massive multi- use arenas. The cost is undoubtedly lower than renting out a multi- use arena. Ratings always tell the story, and this is a case in which I do think, if they keep any sort of decent ratings, the control, security, cost, etc., of their Orlando facility will keep them there.”