Are Roth IRA Distributions Taxable?

A Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) offers a tax-advantaged way to save in addition to—or in place of—an employer-sponsored retirement plan. While there’s no deduction for Roth IRA contributions, qualified distributions from a Roth account are tax free. Savers can also withdraw their original contributions on a tax-free basis.

However, there are some scenarios in which taking money from a Roth IRA before age 59½ could have tax consequences.

Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules

Roth IRAs, like traditional IRAs, are designed to be used for retirement. Like traditional IRAs, a Roth IRA allows you to save up to a maximum annual contribution limit each year. For 2022, that limit is $6,000, with an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution allowed for savers ages 50 and older. For 2023, that limit is $6,500 with the additional $1,000 catch-up contribution.

However, Roth IRAs differ from traditional IRAs on a few key points:

• Required minimum distributions (RMDs) do not apply in the account holder’s lifetime. Note that designated Roth accounts in a 401(k) or 403(b) plan are subject to RMDs, though RMDs are no longer required for 2024 and later years.
• There is no tax deduction for contributions.
• Your ability to contribute is determined by your tax filing status and adjusted gross income (AGI).
• Qualified withdrawals are tax free.

So what constitutes a qualified withdrawal? According to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules, qualified distributions are any payments made after the five-year period beginning with the first tax year when you made a contribution to a Roth IRA for one of these reasons:

• You reach age 59½.
• You become totally and permanently disabled.
• You died, and the money is being paid to your IRA beneficiary or estate.
• You’re withdrawing up to $10,000 for the purchase of a first home.

Distributions of regular contributions from your Roth IRA aren’t taxable, either. That also goes for distributions rolled over into another Roth IRA, assuming that you choose a direct rollover, in which the trustee of your old account transfers money to your new account for you.

When Roth IRA Distributions Are Taxable

Under IRS rules, any non-qualified distributions from a Roth IRA may be subject to a 10% tax penalty. Non-qualified distributions are withdrawals that don’t meet the requirements listed in the previous section. Earnings on non-qualified distributions also may be subject to ordinary income tax. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule based on how long your account has been open and when you take distributions.

If you are under age 59½ and your account is less than five years old, earnings may be subject to taxes and penalties. However, you may be able to avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty if you’re taking a distribution for:

• Purchase of a first home (subject to a $10,000 maximum)
• Qualified education expenses
• Qualified expenses related to a birth or an adoption (subject to a $5,000 maximum)
• Unreimbursed medical expenses or health insurance if you’re unemployed
• Total and permanent disability
• Receipt of substantially equal periodic payments
• Payment to a beneficiary or an estate due to your death

If you’re under age 59½ but your account has been open for five years or more, you can avoid the tax on withdrawals of earnings if distributions are made for any of the same reasons listed above.

If you’re over age 59½ but haven’t met the five-year requirement, then withdrawals of earnings are taxable as ordinary income, but you won’t pay any 10% early withdrawal penalty. If you’re over age 59½ and have had your Roth IRA for five years or longer, then no taxes or penalties apply.

Roth IRA Taxable Distribution Examples

Here are some examples of how Roth IRA distributions may be taxable. First, say that you’re 55 years old and opening a Roth IRA for the first time. You make an initial contribution of $7,500 (the $6,500 annual contribution limit for 2023 plus the $1,000 catch-up contribution limit). You also convert $70,000 that you have saved in a traditional IRA to your Roth account.

Once you turn 59½, you decide to withdraw your Roth IRA savings. Because you’ve reached the age milestone, you won’t owe an early withdrawal penalty on the distribution. However, if you haven’t yet reached the five-year mark since opening the account, then you would have to pay tax on the earnings portion of your withdrawal. This doesn’t include earnings from converted amounts, though, since you would have paid taxes on those at the time of the conversion.

Now assume that you opened your Roth IRA at age 54 instead. You made the same initial contribution and rolled over the same amount. Then at age 59½, you withdraw all of the money in your account. The account has been open for five years at this point, so you escape paying any income tax on earnings. You also avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty, because you meet the age requirement.

This is a simple example, but it illustrates the importance of the five-year rule and of choosing the right timing to make Roth IRA distributions. If you’re getting close to the 59½ age cutoff, it could make sense to wait a little longer to take out money to avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

The Bottom Line

Saving money in a Roth IRA could help you to create wealth for retirement that you can withdraw on a tax-free basis later—or save for your heirs, since RMDs are not required in your lifetime. Understanding the tax rules for Roth IRA withdrawals can help you to avoid any missteps that could potentially trigger a tax bill. When choosing a Roth IRA, also pay attention to the range of investment choices available and the fees that you might pay.

Correction—April 13, 2023: This article has been edited to clarify required minimum distribution rules.