Get Roth IRA Conversion Authorization - Sentinel Investments

"Backdoor Roth IRA" is simply a term to describe a strategy used by high-income earners who can't contribute to a Roth IRA because their income is above certain limits. Rather than contribute directly to a Roth, you contribute to a traditional IRA, and then convert it to a Roth.

Although there has been talk of eliminating the backdoor Roth in recent years, this option is still allowed in 2023.

Even if your income exceeds the limits for making contributions to a Roth IRA, you can still do a Roth conversion, sometimes called a "backdoor Roth IRA." You will owe taxes on the money you convert, but you'll be able to take tax-free withdrawals from the Roth IRA in the future.

Convert investments from your traditional IRA brokerage account. If you hold ETFs (exchange-traded funds), individual stocks and bonds, or other investments in a Vanguard traditional IRA brokerage account … Then locate the traditional IRA you want to convert and click Convert to Roth IRA.

Learn more about the backdoor Roth strategy in this Viewpoints article about the backdoor Roth strategy. Can I convert individual stocks or mutual funds from my IRA to a Roth? Yes, you are allowed to convert individual securities from your IRA to your Roth.

Who should not consider converting to a Roth IRA? You're nearing—or in—retirement and need your traditional IRA to cover your living expenses. ... You're currently receiving Social Security or Medicare benefits. ... You don't have money to pay the conversion tax or must sell assets that could lead to an additional tax hit.

A loophole, known as the backdoor Roth IRA, provides a way to get around the limits. With a backdoor Roth IRA, a person makes a non-deductible contribution to a traditional IRA and then converts that account to a Roth IRA. Tax implications will come into play in determining whether this strategy is worthwhile.

A backdoor Roth can be created by first contributing to a traditional IRA and then immediately converting it to a Roth IRA (to avoid paying taxes on any earnings or having earnings that put you over the contribution limit).