Use this educational checklist to prepare calculator inputs, account records, assumptions, and review questions before modeling a Roth conversion. It helps structure a scenario; it does not recommend a conversion.
5 planning areas16 items
Tax Profile
Prepare current-year tax information before entering calculator assumptions.
4 items
Filing status and taxable income
Gather current filing status and estimated taxable income before any Roth conversion amount.
Calculator input: filingStatus
Current taxable income estimate
Prepare a current-year taxable income estimate before adding any modeled Roth conversion income.
Calculator input: currentTaxableIncome
Current age
Confirm current age because penalty modeling can change around age 59 1/2.
Calculator input: age
State tax assumptions
Estimate a state marginal income tax rate or confirm a zero-state-income-tax assumption.
Calculator input: stateMarginalTaxRate
Account Data
Collect account values and basis records that affect taxable conversion estimates.
3 items
Traditional IRA balance
Use a current total traditional IRA balance, including relevant rollover, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA balances if applicable.
Calculator input: traditionalIraBalance
After-tax basis
Gather Form 8606 history or nondeductible contribution records before entering basis.
Calculator input: basis
Planned conversion amount
Enter the gross amount intended to move from pre-tax retirement accounts to Roth IRA for the scenario.
Calculator input: conversionAmount
Conversion Assumptions
Document assumptions that can materially change the projection and break-even estimate.
3 items
Tax payment method
Decide whether taxes are modeled as paid from outside funds, IRA withholding, or unknown.
Calculator input: taxPaymentMethod
Expected annual return
Use a conservative scenario range rather than treating one return assumption as certain.
Calculator input: expectedAnnualReturn
Retirement age and future tax rate
Prepare retirement age and retirement marginal tax rate assumptions for the comparison model.
Calculator input: retirementAge
Model Limits to Review
Identify items the calculator intentionally does not fully model.
3 items
IRMAA, ACA, NIIT, AMT, and credits
Review income-linked effects outside the core calculator before treating a scenario as complete.
RMD and five-year rule timing
Ask a professional whether RMD sequencing or Roth conversion five-year rules affect the scenario.
State-specific rules
Verify state and local tax treatment separately because the calculator uses a user-entered state rate.
Review Plan
Turn calculator output into a professional-review worksheet, not a self-directed recommendation.
3 items
Professional review plan
Plan to share calculator output, assumptions, and tax records with a licensed CPA or qualified advisor.
Save scenarios for comparison
Use copy, PDF, or share-link tools to preserve scenarios for later review.
Record decision separately
Keep the actual decision, professional recommendation, and tax filing results separate from calculator estimates.
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.