RMD suspension and withholding - The passage of the Economic Relief and Technical Corrections Bill allows for the suspension of RMDs for 2009 from qualified plans and IRAs. The bill provides for suspensions but some individuals may continue with their routine RMD. Since the distributions are not required would any distributions made be considered eligible rollover distributions then in 2009 whereby anyone taking a distribution would be subject to the mandatory 20% federal withholding?

Good question. No. There is a specific exemption from the 20% withholding tax that is available for distributions made in 2009 that would have been required had there been no suspension.

From the Technical Explanation of the Worker, Retiree, And Employer Recovery Act Of 2008, Prepared by the Staff of the Joint Committee On Taxation:

Present law

Required minimum distributions...

Eligible rollover distributions

With certain exceptions, distributions from an employer-provided qualified retirement plan are eligible to be rolled over tax free into another employer-provided qualified retirement plan or an IRA. This can be achieved by contributing the amount of the distribution to the other plan or IRA within 60 days of the distribution, or by a direct payment by the plan to the other plan or IRA (referred to as a "direct rollover"). Distributions that are not eligible for rollover include (i) any distribution that is one of a series of periodic payments generally for a period of 10 years or more (or, if a shorter period, certain life expectancies) and (ii) any distribution to the extent that the distribution is a required minimum distribution.

For any distribution that is eligible for rollover, an employer-provided tax-qualified retirement plan must offer the distributee the right to have the distribution made in a direct rollover28 and, before making the distribution, the plan administrator must provide the distributee with a written explanation of the direct rollover right and related tax consequences.29 If a distributee does not choose to have the distribution made in a direct rollover, the distribution is generally subject to mandatory 20-percent income tax withholding.

Explanation of Provision

Under the provision, no minimum distribution is required for calendar year 2009 from individual retirement plans and employer-provided qualified retirement plans that are defined contribution plans (within the meaning of section 414(i)). Thus any annual minimum distribution for 2009 from these plans required under current law, otherwise determined by dividing the account balance by a distribution period, is not required to be made. The next required minimum distribution would be for calendar year 2010. This relief applies to life-time distributions to employees and IRA owners and after-death distributions to beneficiaries.

In the case of an individual whose required beginning date is April 1, 2010 (e.g., the individual attained age 70 1/2 in 2009), the first year for which a minimum distribution is required under current law is 2009. Under the provision, no distribution is required for 2009 and, thus, no distribution will be required to be made by April 1, 2010. However, the provision does not change the individual's required beginning date for purposes of determining the required minimum distribution for calendar years after 2009. Thus, for an individual whose required beginning date is April 1, 2010, the required minimum distribution for 2010 will be required to be made no later than the last day of calendar year 2010. If the individual dies on or after April 1, 2010, the required minimum distribution for the individual's beneficiary will be determined using the rule for death on or after the individual's required beginning date.

If the five year rule applies to an account with respect to any decedent, under the provision, the five year period is determined without regard to calendar year 2009. Thus, for example, for an account with respect to an individual who died in 2007, under the provision, the five year period ends in 2013 instead of 2012.

If all or a portion of a distribution during 2009 is an eligible rollover distribution because it is no longer a required minimum distribution under this provision, the distribution shall not be treated as an eligible rollover distribution for purposes of the direct rollover requirement and notice and written explanation of the direct rollover requirement, as well as the mandatory 20 percent income tax withholding for eligible rollover distributions, to the extent the distribution would have been a required minimum distribution for 2009 absent this provision. Thus, for example, if an employer-provided qualified retirement plan distributes an amount to an individual during 2009 that is an eligible rollover distribution but would have been a required minimum distribution for 2009, the plan is permitted but not required to offer the employee a direct rollover of that amount and provide the employee with a written explanation of the requirement. If the employee receives the distribution, the distribution is not subject to mandatory 20-percent income tax withholding, and the employee can roll over the distribution by contributing it to an eligible retirement plan within 60 days of the distribution.

Effective Date

The provision is effective for calendar years beginning after December 31, 2008. However, the provision does not apply to any required minimum distribution for 2008 that is permitted to be made in 2009 by reason of an individual's required beginning date being April 1, 2009.