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   Question    posted to Accountants on 12/27/08 06:40 AM, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Question concerns converitng a rollover IRA to a Roth IRA.  I recently retired and converted a Self Employed Keogh 401 to a rollover IRA.  Now I'm thinking of taking it a step further and converting the Rollover IRA (value approx $200,000, all taxable)  to a Roth.  I'm 63 and this year (2008) my only income is approx $35,000 from dividend and interest.  I also have approx. $20,000 in realized capital gains losses.  I am single and probably have about $10,000 in schedule A deductions.  I have cash available to pay the taxes on conversion outside of the IRA.  Here are my questions:  Since the market is down so low (the $200K IRA was worth over $400K in October of 2007), I'm thinking it would be a good idea to make the conversion ASAP.  Or perhaps convert 1/2 this year (2008) and 1/2 next year (2009).  (I'm assuming I can do this, that I don't have to convert all at once?)   Also, I'm wondering if the $20,000K in realized capital losses I have for 2008 (in non-retirement accounts) will help me any in reducing the tax on the converssion to the Roth.  
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Specialist Answer 1 of 1
   Answered By     Madonna Joseph, 12/29/08 09:59 AM
Madonna Joseph
270 North Ave
New Rochelle, NY 10801
914-633-3500
jmadonnacpa@aol.com
View Business Info

You can convert part of your rollover IRA in 2008 and the balance in 2009. Regarding the capital loss of $20,000, you can take only $3,000 in 2008 and carrtover the balance to 2009.

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