# Ask the Editor: IRA Tax Tips for Year-End Planning

> Retirees can use IRA distributions to cover taxes without quarterly payments.
- Title: Ask the Editor: IRA Tax Tips for Year-End Planning · Kiplinger
- Summary: Retirees can use IRA distributions to cover taxes without quarterly payments. Retirees can have federal income taxes withheld from year-end IRA distributions…
- Keywords: ira, tax planning, retirement accounts, required minimum distributions, qualified charitable distributions, roth conversions, tax withholding, federal income tax, Kiplinger
- Source: Kiplinger — https://kiplinger.com/taxes/tax-planning/ask-the-tax-editor-november-13-retirement-accounts-and-tax-planning
- Published: 2026-11-13T13:05:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ira, tax planning, retirement accounts, required minimum distributions, qualified charitable distributions, roth conversions, tax withholding, federal income tax
## Late-year withholding from an IRA
Retirees can have federal income taxes withheld from year-end IRA distributions to avoid quarterly estimated tax payments.
## RMDs for retirees over 73
Individuals 73 and older must take annual RMDs from traditional IRAs by December 31, with 2026 RMDs due by April 1, 2027.
## Qualified charitable distributions
Retirees 70½ and older can transfer up to $111,000 from traditional IRAs to charity tax-free.
## Roth conversions and tax impacts
Roth conversions trigger income tax on converted funds and may increase Medicare premiums for those over 65.
## Tax consequences of deferring RMDs
Deferring first RMD to 2027 increases taxable income by two RMDs in that year.
## QCDs and tax benefits
Qualified charitable distributions reduce AGI and can count against RMDs for retirees 70½ and older.
## Roth conversion tax traps
Roth conversions can increase AGI and trigger higher Medicare premiums for those over 65.
## Tax planning for retirees
Retirees should consider Roth conversions as multiyear planning tools to avoid tax bracket jumps.
## RMD deferral impact
Deferring first RMD to 2027 results in two RMDs being taxed in 2027.
## QCD tax benefits
Qualified charitable distributions are not taxable and do not increase AGI for retirees 70½ and older.
## Roth conversion and Medicare
Roth conversions can trigger higher Medicare premiums for those with modified AGIs over $218,000.
## Tax planning strategy
Retirees should space out Roth conversions to avoid tax bracket jumps and Medicare premium surcharges.
## Key takeaway

Retirees can have federal income taxes withheld from year-end IRA distributions to avoid quarterly estimated tax payments.