How much tax on an inherited IRA?
Estimate federal tax on an inherited IRA under the 10-year payout rule, with a year-by-year withdrawal schedule.
Estimate federal tax on inherited Traditional IRA distributions over 10 years. Rules vary by beneficiary, year of death, and account documents.
Your Inherited IRA estimate
Your Inherited IRA is one piece of your retirement plan
You are here. Five more steps bring every piece together to answer the bigger question: will your money last as long as you do?
Your Inherited IRA is one piece of your retirement plan
Your Inherited IRAPieces still to add
- Inherited balance
- Beneficiary age
Your retirement plan will also answer
- When can I and my spouse retire?
- How much should I save?
- When should I claim Social Security?
- Should I do Roth conversions?
- How much can I safely withdraw?
- Should I pay off debt first?
- Would my plan weather market ups and downs?
How it works · Your path to a full Finance plan
Inherited IRA
You are hereProjected $126,785
Income
Current income plus Social Security, pensions and annuities
Expenses
Day-to-day living, healthcare premiums and planned future costs
Assets
Homes, properties, investments and savings
Non-mortgage debts
Car loans, credit cards and other balances
Annual savings and review
Confirm yearly savings, then see your full plan
Interpretation
Understand your results
Planning context for the estimates above. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.
Interpretation
Understand your results
Planning context for the estimates above. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.
- Projected total distributions: $528,271, with estimated federal income tax of $126,785 at a 24% marginal rate.
- Effective tax rate on distributions in this illustration: about 24.0% — actual taxes depend on other income and deductions.
- Account must be fully distributed by calendar year 2035 under the secure act 10-year rule path modeled here.
- Equal annual withdrawals reduce year-10 tax spikes compared with waiting until the final year — adjust strategy with a CPA.
- State income tax, NIIT, and bracket stacking are not modeled in detail.
Methodology
How this calculator works
The rules and math behind this estimate.
Methodology
How this calculator works
The rules and math behind this estimate.
We apply SECURE Act and IRS rules for your beneficiary category, account type, and year of death to estimate annual required distributions, taxes, and when the inherited account may be depleted.
This is educational planning support — not tax or legal advice. Rules vary; confirm with a CPA or attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to common questions about this calculator.
What is the 10-year rule?
Most non-spouse heirs must empty an inherited retirement account within 10 years after the owner dies. There may be no required amount each year until the end.
Do I pay tax on an inherited Traditional IRA?
Usually yes — withdrawals are typically taxed as ordinary income. Inherited Roth accounts may be tax-free if rules are met.
Should I spread withdrawals out?
Spreading withdrawals can spread out tax. Taking everything in year 10 can cause a big tax bill that year.
What about a surviving spouse?
Spouses have special options, including rolling the account into their own IRA. This tool uses general inherited-account rules — not spousal rollover.
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