Calculator
Roth IRA Conversion Calculator
Estimate how a Roth conversion could trade taxes today for more tax-free growth later, using your tax picture, time horizon, and payment source.
Scenario
Conversion details
Start with one conversion scenario, then adjust the tax picture, timing, and payment source to see what changes.
Current tax picture
Future tax picture
Tax payment source
Conversion estimate
Roth conversion
Conversion scenario leads
$17,447
To convert to Roth, you would pay approximately $12,000 in taxes today, and by age 65 you could have $17,447.12 more in projected net wealth. The conversion becomes favorable after about 3 years.
Tax cost today
$12,000
$50,000 modeled as taxable.
Convert now
$160,357
Projected net wealth for the Roth conversion path.
Break-even rate
11.1%
Future tax rate where the paths are roughly indifferent.
Scenario view
Compare asset growth, the break-even tax rate, and the assumptions behind the estimate.
Conversion path
Projected outcome
How to use this conversion calculator
Use this as a Roth conversion scenario check. The most useful answer is often how sensitive the result is to taxes, time, and how the conversion tax gets paid.
Now
A conversion moves tax forward
The tool starts by estimating what today’s federal tax cost could be if part of a traditional IRA is converted to Roth.
Then
The converted dollars get time
Once the tax cost is accounted for, the model lets the Roth path and traditional path grow toward the distribution age you choose.
Later
The future tax rate decides a lot
The result shows whether the conversion looks better, and the break-even rate shows how much the answer depends on future tax brackets.
1
Model one conversion
Start with a single conversion amount. For conversion ladders, test one slice at a time instead of treating every future year as identical.
2
Choose the tax payment source
Paying taxes with outside cash usually keeps more money inside the Roth. The cash yield controls the opportunity cost of spending that cash today.
3
Use the charts together
Asset growth shows the dollar path. Break-even tax rate shows how future tax assumptions affect the decision.
About this tool
What this helps you do
This calculator compares a Roth conversion scenario against keeping the same dollars traditional until a future distribution age.
How to interpret results
Treat the result as a planning signal. A close outcome may point toward flexibility, tax diversification, estate goals, or future bracket management instead of a single obvious answer.
Tax-rule notes
The model estimates current and future federal marginal rates from taxable income and filing status, applies a simplified basis adjustment, and uses cash yield for preserved outside cash.
Limitations
This tool does not model state taxes, IRMAA, Social Security taxation, ACA credits, charitable planning, conversion ladders, five-year clocks, early-distribution exceptions, or full pro rata rule analysis.
Keep learning
Conversion notes
This calculator is educational and does not replace individualized tax, retirement, or investment advice. Before converting, review tax brackets, basis, withholding, five-year rules, state taxes, Medicare premiums, and your broader retirement plan with a qualified professional.