RMD Resources — Articles, Calculators & Guides

Everything SimpleRMD has built to help you calculate, understand, and stay on top of your required minimum distributions — organized by topic so you can find exactly what you need.

If you're not sure where to start, the RMD Help Center walks you through the basics.

RMD Basics

The foundation. Whether you're taking your first RMD or just want to make sure you understand the rules, this is where to begin.

Required Minimum Distributions: What You Need to Know Overview — A complete guide to what RMDs are, how they work, and what you need to do each year.
What Is an RMD? Article — The plain-English answer: who has to take them, which accounts they apply to, and why the IRS requires them.
How RMDs Work Article — A step-by-step look at the calculation, the IRS tables, deadlines, and how aggregation works across multiple accounts.
When Do RMDs Start? Article — Age 73, age 75, and the still-working exception — with the born-in-1960 nuance explained clearly.
First-Year RMD Rules Article — Your first RMD has a special deadline option. Here's how to decide which approach makes sense and what the math looks like.
What Happens If You Don't Take an RMD? Article — The penalty, how it's calculated, and what to do if you've already missed one.
How to Take an RMD Article — Coming soon — The practical steps: contacting your custodian, timing your withdrawal, and confirming it was processed correctly.
Does My Accountant Calculate My RMD? Article — Coming soon — What your CPA, custodian, and brokerage each do (and don't do) — and where SimpleRMD fits in.

RMD Calculator

Run a calculation, understand the math behind it, or compare SimpleRMD to other tools you've heard of.

RMD Calculator Calculator — Free, no signup required. Enter your account balance and age — get your RMD in seconds.
How to Calculate Your RMD Explainer — The formula, the IRS life expectancy tables, and a worked example with real numbers.
Is This Calculator Accurate? Explainer — How SimpleRMD's calculation compares to IRS tables and what we do to stay current.
RMD Tables Explained Explainer — A plain-English guide to the Uniform Lifetime Table, Joint Life Table, and when each one applies.
What Information Do You Need to Calculate an RMD? Explainer — The exact inputs you'll need before you sit down to calculate, including where to find each one.

Inherited IRAs

Inherited IRA rules are among the most confusing in the tax code — and the stakes are real. These articles focus on clarity.

Inherited IRA RMDs: Rules, Deadlines, and What You Need to Know Overview — The complete guide to inherited IRA distributions under the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0.
Inherited IRA Calculator Calculator — Coming soon — Calculate required distributions for an inherited IRA. Toggle to inherited mode in the main calculator in the meantime.
The 10-Year Rule Explained Article — How the 10-year depletion rule works, when annual RMDs are required within that window, and what happens if you miss one.
Non-Spouse Beneficiary RMD Rules Article — Rules vary significantly by beneficiary type. This breaks down each category clearly.
What Happens to RMDs After Someone Dies? Article — Year-of-death rules, what the beneficiary must do in year one, and how the transition timeline works.
Inherited RMD Table Explained Article — Coming soon — How to use the Single Life Expectancy Table, including the factor reduction method.
Legacy Stretch IRA Schedule Article — Coming soon — Pre-SECURE grandfathering rules and who still qualifies for the stretch IRA.

Deadlines & Penalties

Missing an RMD deadline is stressful — but it's fixable. These articles walk you through both prevention and correction.

RMD Deadlines & Penalties Overview — Everything you need to know about the December 31 deadline, the April 1 first-year exception, and what happens if you're late.
RMD Deadline: What Must Happen by December 31 Article — Processing times, custodian cutoffs, and the things that can go wrong even when you act in time.
IRS Waiver for a Missed RMD Article — A step-by-step walkthrough of Form 5329, reasonable cause examples, and how to request penalty relief.
RMD Late Distribution: What to Do Now Article — Coming soon — The correction steps, in order, for a missed or late RMD.
The RMD Penalty: What It Is Now (and What It Used to Be) Article — Coming soon — SECURE 2.0 reduced the penalty from 50% to 25%. Here's what that means and when the lower rate applies.

RMD Rules by Account Type

Not all retirement accounts follow the same rules. These articles break down the differences by account type.

RMD Rules by Account Type Overview — A side-by-side look at how RMD rules differ across Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, Roth accounts, SEP IRAs, and more.
401(k) RMD Rules Article — The still-working exception, why 401(k)s can't be aggregated with IRAs, and what to think about before rolling over.
Roth IRA RMD Rules Article — No lifetime RMDs for the original owner — but inherited Roth IRAs are a different story.
Annuity RMD Rules Article — Coming soon — Qualified vs. nonqualified annuities, QLACs, and how income payments can satisfy an RMD.

RMD & Taxes

SimpleRMD helps you calculate the distribution — your CPA handles the tax strategy. These articles explain what you need to know before that conversation.

RMD Taxes: What You Need to Know Overview — How RMDs are taxed, what withholding means, and the downstream effects on your overall tax picture.
How Much Tax Do You Pay on an RMD? Article — Ordinary income tax, bracket considerations, and withholding options — explained without the advice.
Tax on Inherited IRA RMDs Article — Traditional vs. Roth inherited treatment, the 10-year tax planning context, and what to bring to your CPA.

About SimpleRMD

How SimpleRMD Works Explainer — How the calculator works, what data it uses, what it doesn't do, and why we built it.
For Accountants & Financial Advisors Guide — How SimpleRMD fits into a CPA's workflow, what the export report contains, and how to request early advisor access.
RMD Glossary Reference — Plain-English definitions for every term you'll encounter — from Applicable Distribution Period to Uniform Lifetime Table.
About SimpleRMD Reference — Where SimpleRMD came from and why accuracy matters to us.

This page is updated with each new batch of content. Last updated March 6, 2026.

SimpleRMD is a calculation and tracking tool — not a tax or financial advisory service. Articles on this site are for informational purposes only. IRS rules are subject to change. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.