If you have a traditional IRA or another retirement plan, you may need to take a required minimum distribution, often called an RMD. This guide explains the 2026 federal rules, including the age-73 start date, the main deadlines, and what happens if you miss a withdrawal.
QUICK TAKEAWAYS
- RMDs are the smallest amount you must withdraw from certain retirement accounts each year once the rules start.
- For many seniors, the RMD start age is 73. The IRS says this applies to IRA owners and many retirement plan account owners.
- For a traditional IRA, the first RMD is generally due by April 1 of the year after you reach age 73. Later RMDs are generally due by December 31 each year.
- If you miss an RMD or take too little, the IRS says you may owe a 25% excise tax on the amount not distributed. A reduced 10% rate may apply if you correct the problem during the correction window.
- Roth IRAs and designated Roth accounts are generally not subject to RMDs while the owner is alive.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
This article is for U.S. seniors planning for tax year 2026 and filing in 2027. It applies to people who own or inherit retirement accounts such as traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457(b)s, profit-sharing plans, and other defined contribution plans. It also applies to seniors who are still working and to seniors who are already retired. This is a federal IRS guide only. State tax treatment may differ, so check your state return too.
INTRODUCTION
Many seniors ask: “Do I have to take money out of my retirement account now?” For tax year 2026, the answer often depends on your age, your account type, and whether you already missed a required withdrawal. The IRS says you generally have to start taking withdrawals when you reach age 73, and the rules are different for IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and inherited accounts.
This article explains the core RMD rules for 2026, the deadlines you should watch, how the RMD amount is figured, what happens if you miss the deadline, and when you may need help from a CPA, EA, or tax attorney. It does not replace personal tax advice.
MAIN EXPLANATION
What an RMD is
An RMD means required minimum distribution. In plain English, it is the smallest amount the IRS says you must take out of certain retirement accounts each year once the RMD rules begin. The IRS says you can take more than the minimum, but you cannot take less. Withdrawals from traditional IRAs are generally taxable in the year you receive them.
Who must take RMDs in 2026
The IRS says RMD rules generally apply to owners of:
- traditional IRAs
- SEP IRAs
- SIMPLE IRAs
- 401(k) plans
- 403(b) plans
- 457(b) plans
- profit-sharing plans
- other defined contribution plans
- Roth IRA beneficiaries and designated Roth beneficiaries, but not Roth IRA owners while alive
A key exception is simple: you are not required to take RMDs from a Roth IRA or from a designated Roth account in a 401(k) or 403(b) while the owner is alive.
The age-73 rule in plain English
For many seniors, the RMD start age is 73. The IRS says if you reach age 72 after December 31, 2022, you must begin taking RMDs by April 1 of the year after the year you reach age 73. For example, if you turn 73 in 2026, your first IRA RMD is generally due by April 1, 2027.
That first-year rule is very important. If you delay the first RMD until April 1 of the next year, you may end up taking two taxable distributions in the same calendar year. That is a common planning issue for seniors.
Deadlines and timing
Here is the simple timing rule:
| Situation | General deadline |
|---|---|
| Traditional IRA owner reaches age 73 in 2026 | First RMD due by April 1, 2027. |
| Any later IRA RMD | Due by December 31 each year. |
| 401(k), 403(b), profit-sharing, or other defined contribution plan | Usually due by April 1 after the later of the year you reach age 73 or, if the plan allows, the year you retire. |
| 403(b) plans with special pre-1987 accrual rules | Special rules may apply, so check with the plan administrator. |
The IRS also says that if you already started taking distributions before age 73, you still must begin calculating and receiving RMDs by your required beginning date.
How the RMD amount is figured
The IRS says the general formula is simple: take the account balance from the end of the prior year and divide it by the IRS life expectancy factor from the appropriate table. For most living IRA owners, that means the Uniform Lifetime Table. If your spouse is the sole beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger, a different table may apply.
In plain English:
- Find your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year.
- Find the correct IRS life expectancy factor.
- Divide the balance by that factor.
- That gives you the RMD for the year.
The IRS’s current Pub. 590-B materials include 2026 examples. One example shows a 73-year-old using a 26.5 factor in Table III.
Important income limits or thresholds
RMDs are not based on your income level. There is no income limit that decides whether you must take one. Instead, the key triggers are age, account type, beneficiary rules, and the account balance from the prior year-end.
Forms and schedules involved
If you take an RMD from a traditional IRA, the withdrawal is generally taxable in the year you receive it, so it is reported on your regular federal return, usually Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. If you miss an RMD and owe the excise tax, the IRS says you generally use Form 5329 to report the additional tax. If you do not otherwise have to file a return, you can file Form 5329 by itself.
If you want a senior-friendly return form, the IRS says Form 1040-SR is available to taxpayers age 65 or older and uses the same schedules and instructions as Form 1040.
[INTERNAL LINK: How to Read Form 1099-R for Retirement Withdrawals]
[INTERNAL LINK: When Seniors Should Use Form 1040-SR]
Missed-withdrawal problems: what happens if you take too little
This is where many seniors get into trouble.
If you do not take any distribution, or if your distribution is too small, the IRS says you may owe a 25% excise tax on the amount not distributed as required. The IRS also says there may be a reduced 10% rate if you correct the shortfall during the correction window and file the return showing the tax.
The IRS instructions say the correction window ends on the earliest of:
- the date the IRS mails a deficiency notice,
- the date the tax is assessed, or
- the last day of the second taxable year that begins after the year the tax is imposed.
The IRS can also waive part or all of the tax if the shortfall was due to reasonable error and you are taking reasonable steps to fix it. In that case, the IRS says to attach a statement of explanation and file Form 5329 as instructed.
Why RMD mistakes matter so much
RMD mistakes are expensive because the IRS penalty can be large compared with the missed amount. If the shortfall is $5,000, a 25% tax is $1,250. If the reduced 10% rate applies, the tax would be $500. Those are not small numbers for a retiree living on a fixed income.
Common mistakes seniors make
Here are the errors I see most often:
- Missing the April 1 first-year deadline. If you turn 73 in 2026, your first IRA RMD may be due by April 1, 2027. Many people forget that first-year rule.
- Forgetting the December 31 rule after the first year. After that first RMD year, the annual deadline is generally December 31.
- Thinking extra withdrawals count for later years. The IRS says if you take more than the minimum in one year, the extra does not count toward a later year’s RMD.
- Using the wrong account rules. Roth IRA owners alive usually do not have RMDs, but traditional IRA owners do.
- Combining accounts the wrong way. The IRS says you must calculate a separate RMD for each IRA, but you can usually take the total from one or more IRAs. Qualified plans cannot be aggregated the same way.
- Ignoring inherited IRA rules. If you inherited the account, different rules may apply. Do not assume the owner rules still apply.
What changed for tax year 2026
For 2026, the big practical point is that the IRS still uses the age 73 start rule and the usual life-expectancy table method. The IRS’s current Pub. 590-B materials also show 2026 examples using the age-73 table factor. For seniors, that means the real planning issue is usually not a new age threshold. It is timing, paperwork, and avoiding a missed withdrawal.
When to get professional help
You should strongly consider a CPA, EA, or tax attorney if:
- you are close to the age-73 deadline,
- you have several retirement accounts,
- you missed an RMD,
- you inherited an IRA,
- you are still working and trying to understand a 401(k) or 403(b) plan rule,
- or you think you may qualify for a penalty waiver.
A professional can help you fix the mistake, calculate the missing amount, prepare Form 5329, and explain whether the IRS may waive some or all of the penalty.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLES
Simplified Example 1: A new 73-year-old IRA owner
Jean turns 73 in 2026. Her traditional IRA had a balance of $100,000 on December 31, 2025. The IRS example table shows a 73-year-old using a 26.5 factor. Jean’s 2026 RMD would be about $3,773.58 ($100,000 ÷ 26.5). If she delays her first RMD until April 1, 2027, that distribution is generally taxable in the year she receives it, which would be 2027.
Simplified Example 2: A missed RMD
Robert was already past his first RMD year and missed a $5,000 withdrawal for 2026. The IRS says he may owe a 25% excise tax, or $1,250, on the amount not distributed. If he corrects the shortfall during the correction window and qualifies for the reduced rate, the tax may be 10%, or $500. He may need Form 5329.
Simplified Example 3: A 403(b) plan and still-working senior
Linda is 74 and still working for a school district with a 403(b) plan. The IRS says a 403(b) RMD may be delayed until the later of age 73 or retirement, if the plan allows that delay. But special rules may apply to pre-1987 accruals, so Linda should ask the plan administrator before assuming she can wait.
Simplified Example 4: Two IRAs
Mark has two traditional IRAs. One has a balance of $50,000 and the other $70,000 at the end of the prior year. The IRS says he must figure a separate RMD for each IRA, but he can generally take the total from one or more IRAs. Using the 73-year-old factor of 26.5, the combined RMD is about $4,528.30.
CHECKLIST OR SUMMARY TABLE
Quick RMD checklist for seniors
- Do I own a traditional IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or another plan that has RMD rules?
- Am I age 73 in 2026, or already past my first RMD year?
- Did I check whether my spouse is more than 10 years younger and the sole beneficiary?
- Did I use the December 31 prior-year balance and the correct IRS table?
- Did I make sure my first RMD deadline is not April 1, 2027, if I turn 73 in 2026?
- Did I avoid assuming extra withdrawals count toward future years? They do not.
- If I missed an RMD, did I check Form 5329 and the penalty waiver rules?
Short deadline table
| Situation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Turn 73 in 2026, traditional IRA | First RMD generally by April 1, 2027. |
| Any later IRA RMD | Generally by December 31 each year. |
| 401(k), 403(b), profit-sharing, or other defined contribution plan | Usually by April 1 after the later of age 73 or retirement, if the plan allows delay. |
| Missed RMD | May trigger Form 5329 and a 25% excise tax, with possible reduction or waiver in some cases. |
FAQ
1. Do I have to take RMDs from a Roth IRA?
No, not if you are the owner and alive. The IRS says Roth IRAs and designated Roth accounts are not subject to RMDs while the owner is alive.
2. If I turn 73 in 2026, when is my first RMD due?
For a traditional IRA, the IRS says the first RMD is generally due by April 1, 2027. But if you wait that long, you may also need your next RMD by December 31, 2027.
3. Is an RMD taxed when I take it?
Yes, generally. The IRS says distributions from a traditional IRA are taxable in the year you receive them, unless a special exception applies.
4. What if I missed my RMD?
You may owe a 25% excise tax on the amount you failed to withdraw. In some cases, the rate can be reduced to 10% if you correct the shortfall during the correction window and file the return showing the tax.
5. Can I take one RMD from all of my IRAs together?
You must calculate the RMD separately for each IRA, but the IRS says you can generally withdraw the total amount from one or more IRAs that are not Roth IRAs. Qualified plans are different.
6. What if I inherited an IRA?
Different rules apply. The IRS says beneficiary rules depend on whether the owner died before or after the required beginning date and on who the beneficiary is. If you inherited an IRA, get help before you withdraw money.
BOTTOM LINE
For tax year 2026, many seniors will need to follow the age-73 RMD rule. The key points are simple: know your first deadline, use the correct account balance and IRS table, and do not miss the annual withdrawal amount. If you miss an RMD, the IRS penalty can be costly, but the rules do allow relief in some cases. If your retirement picture is anything other than simple, consult a CPA before you file in 2027.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
- Check whether you turn 73 in 2026 or are already in an RMD year.
- Pull your December 31, 2025 retirement account balances.
- Confirm which accounts have RMD rules and which do not.
- Mark your RMD deadline on your calendar now.
- If you missed a withdrawal or have inherited an account, consult a CPA.
SOURCE NOTE
“Sources consulted: IRS forms, instructions, publications, official updates, and related guidance.”
