401k to IRA to Roth IRA

Pretty sure there is no limit on ROTH conversion amount. You just have to be careful of the tax burden on the amount you convert. You don't have to convert all; you can select an amount. It must be done by 31 Dec of the current tax year to go on tax calculations. It's not like contributions where you can go into next year for the prev tax year.

If you convert, you WILL owe tax. The idea is to get the amount in the lowest possible tax bracket. I wouldn't expect any kind of refund of you do a conversion to ROTH since your withholding wouldn't have figured in the conversion amount. You really need to be ready to write a check or have the taxes withheld from the conversion. This is where an accountant is valuable because I wan't to say there was a downside to having taxes withheld from the conversion amount. Just can't remember why. I just wrote the IRS a check.

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