AI-powered 2026 estimate

AI Roth Conversion Calculator

Estimate Roth conversion taxes, break-even years, and after-tax value. AI then explains the result, the inputs, and the limits in plain English without giving personal tax advice.

Start calculating Ask AI after results

One focused workflow. Calculate the tax estimate, ask AI what the numbers mean, then review the method and IRS sources. Your financial inputs stay in this browser.

1. CalculateEnter conversion amount, income, basis, state tax, age, and expected return.

2. Ask AIGet a plain-English explanation of break-even years, penalties, basis, and assumptions.

3. ReviewCheck the transparent method, official sources, and compliance limits before acting.

Inputs

Adjust any parameter. Results update instantly.

Sample scenarios

Educational examples only. They are not recommendations.

State shortcutState shortcuts are examples. Verify your actual marginal rate.

Conversion amountAmount you plan to convert from a traditional IRA or 401(k) to Roth.Traditional IRA balanceUsed for pro-rata basis calculations.After-tax basisUsually found on IRS Form 8606.Filing statusCurrent taxable incomeState marginal tax rateEnter 0 for no-income-tax states.Current ageRetirement ageExpected annual returnRetirement marginal tax rateHow will you pay the conversion tax?This matters for possible early distribution penalties.Estimated amount withheld from IRAPenalty exception appliesUse only if you know an IRS exception applies.

Results

High-confidence federal estimate with user-estimated state and future assumptions.

Federal tax

$11,586

State tax

Potential penalty

Total upfront cost

$11,586

Roth future value

$193,484

After-tax difference

$30,981

Break-even estimate

1 years

Educational AI helper

Ask AI to explain this estimate

Use it for plain-English explanations of the numbers on this page. It will not tell you whether you should convert or how much to convert.

This Roth Conversion Calculator is for educational and illustrative purposes only. It does NOT constitute tax, financial, legal, or investment advice. The calculation results are based on the information you provide and the latest IRS tax rules, which are subject to change. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the results. Please consult a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), financial advisor, or tax professional before making any financial decisions.

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Projection

Blue bars show projected Roth value. Green bars show projected traditional IRA after-tax value.

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Advanced calculation details

Calculation Breakdown

These figures show how the calculator reached the estimate. They are educational assumptions, not tax advice.

Basis exclusion ratio

$0 basis / $250,000 IRA balance

Taxable conversion ratio

$50,000 taxable / $50,000 converted

100%

Effective federal tax rate on taxable conversion

$11,586 federal tax / $50,000 taxable conversion

23.2%

Effective state tax rate

User-entered state marginal rate applied to taxable conversion.

Total upfront cost rate

$11,586 total upfront cost / $50,000 converted

23.2%

Penalty basis modeled

No early distribution penalty is modeled because taxes are assumed to be paid from outside funds.

Tax Impact Warnings

A Roth conversion can increase current-year taxable income. These items are outside this calculator's MVP scope and require professional review:

Medicare IRMAA
ACA premium tax credits
Social Security benefit taxation
NIIT and AMT exposure
Required Minimum Distributions
State-specific retirement income rules

Tax data freshness

Tax year 2026, reviewed May 2026. Federal calculations are educational estimates based on the inputs provided by the user.

Not modeled: IRMAA, ACA subsidies, NIIT, AMT, tax credits, state-specific deductions.

Calculator transparency

Transparent calculation method

The estimate is intentionally plain: it shows the core math, the assumptions you entered, and the limits a CPA or tax professional should review before any real decision.

Taxable conversion = conversion amount minus pro-rata after-tax basis.

Current-year cost = estimated federal income tax plus user-entered state tax plus any modeled early distribution penalty.

Future comparison = Roth tax-free projection versus traditional IRA projection after the selected retirement marginal tax rate.

E-E-A-T reference base

Official sources reviewed

This page is maintained for tax year 2026, reviewed May 2026, and grounded in official IRS materials. The content is educational and does not replace individualized tax advice.

IRS tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 IRS Publication 590-A IRS Publication 590-B IRS Form 8606 basis reporting

Roth Conversion FAQ

What is a Roth conversion?

A Roth conversion moves money from a pre-tax retirement account into a Roth IRA. The taxable part is generally included in income for the year of conversion.

Does a Roth conversion always trigger a 10% penalty?

No. The conversion itself is different from taking cash out. If taxes are paid from outside funds, the conversion amount is not treated the same as a cash distribution used for spending.

What is the 5-year rule?

Roth conversions have 5-year rule considerations for distributions. The exact treatment depends on age, account history, and distribution type.

Can this calculator replace a CPA?

No. It is an educational calculator. It does not calculate every tax interaction, including IRMAA, ACA subsidies, NIIT, AMT, credits, or state-specific rules.