Planning guide
Put Required Minimum Distributions on the Income Calendar
Organize RMD timing, account facts, and tax questions before making a withdrawal decision.
Required minimum distributions, or RMDs, belong on the same calendar as Social Security, pensions, wages, business income, and major spending. The first task is not choosing an investment. It is confirming which accounts are covered, the applicable start date, the prior year-end balance, and who will calculate and process the distribution.
The IRS maintains current RMD guidance, including when distributions generally begin and how account types and beneficiary status can change the rules. Use that source for the current rule, then have the custodian and tax professional confirm how it applies to you. IRS: RMD FAQs
Build one row per account
| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Account | IRA or employer plan name |
| Owner / beneficiary | Whose rule applies |
| Prior year-end balance | Confirmed statement value |
| Required date | Verified for this account and year |
| Processor | Custodian contact or workflow |
| Tax treatment | Question for tax professional |
Fictional estimate. Renee has two IRAs and an old employer plan. A dashboard that shows only a total balance misses the operational question: which account will satisfy which required amount, by what date, and how the cash fits with other income. She creates one row per account and flags the employer plan for confirmation.
What the calendar should prevent
It should prevent an unknown due date, an unconfirmed balance, a duplicated distribution, or a withdrawal that is disconnected from the rest of the year’s income. It should not pretend to calculate a final tax bill.
Next step
Add your account facts to the retirement tax window and take the saved questions to your custodian and tax professional.
Important limits
Inherited accounts, employer plans, first-year timing, corrections, and charitable distributions can require specific professional review.