RETIREMENT · TAX STRATEGY
Roth Conversion Calculator
Analyze whether converting traditional IRA funds to Roth makes financial sense. Compare the upfront tax cost against future tax savings and find the net benefit over your time horizon.
LAST REVIEWED · APR 08, 2026 · BY A. CHEN, CFP®
Conversion DetailsReset
Traditional IRA balance
$200,000
$10K$3M
Conversion amount
$50,000
$5K$200,000
Current tax bracket
22%
10%37%
Future tax bracketExpected in retirement
32%
10%37%
Years until withdrawal
20 yrs
140
Expected return
7%
1%12%
Live ResultsUpdated
Net benefitConversion favored
+$19,348
Tax cost nowAt 22% bracket
$11,000
Tax saved laterAt 32% bracket
$61,915
Break-evenImmediately beneficial
Now
Cost comparison
Tax now
$11,000
Tax saved
$61,915
Converting saves money over keeping funds in a traditional IRA at your expected future tax rate.
You need
+$19,348
Conversion DetailsReset
Traditional IRA balance
$200,000
$10K$3M
Conversion amount
$50,000
$5K$200,000
Current tax bracket
22%
10%37%
Future tax bracketExpected in retirement
32%
10%37%
Years until withdrawal
20 yrs
140
Expected return
7%
1%12%
How the Roth conversion calculator works
A Roth conversion moves money from a traditional (pre-tax) IRA to a Roth (after-tax) IRA. You pay income tax now on the converted amount, but all future growth and withdrawals are tax-free. This calculator compares the cost of paying tax now versus paying tax later.
When conversion makes sense
- You expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement
- You’re in a temporarily low income year (job change, sabbatical, early retirement)
- You want to avoid RMDs — Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions
- You have a long time horizon for the converted amount to grow tax-free
When conversion doesn’t make sense
If your future tax rate will be lower than your current rate, conversion costs you money. Also, if you’d have to pay the conversion tax from the IRA itself (rather than outside funds), the math often doesn’t work.
Methodology. Tax Cost Now = conversion amount × current marginal bracket. Tax Savings Later = future value of conversion × future marginal bracket. Net Benefit = future tax savings − future value of upfront tax cost. The tax cost paid today is assumed to be invested at the same return rate for comparison.
Sources
- IRS Publication 590-A & 590-B — IRA Contributions and Distributions
- 2026 Federal income tax brackets (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-31)
- Roth conversion rules under Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
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RMD Calculator ↗
Find your required minimum distribution using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. Enter your age (73+) and account balance to see your annual withdrawal requirement and effective rate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I undo a Roth conversion? +
No. Recharacterization of Roth conversions was eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Once converted, it’s permanent.
Should I convert all at once or over multiple years? +
Usually over multiple years to stay in lower tax brackets. Converting a large amount in one year can push you into a much higher bracket, negating the benefit.
Does a Roth conversion affect my Medicare premiums? +
Yes. The conversion income can increase your MAGI, which may trigger IRMAA surcharges on Medicare Parts B and D for two years after the conversion.