Submitted By: James
Answered: November 26, 2013 8:30 am

I’m 72 years old and do not work. Can I convert my traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?

Yes. Even though there is an age limit for making deductible IRA contributions, there is no age limit for making a conversion from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. There is no need to have earned income in the year in which the conversion is made. Of course, income resulting from the conversion must be recognized, which could impact whether and to what extent Social Security benefits are includible in gross income.

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Tax Glossary

Section 1231 property

Depreciable property used in a trade or business and held for more than a year. All Section 1231 gains and losses are netted; a net gain is treated as capital gain, a net loss as an ordinary loss.

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