Year-End Roth IRA Checklist
Roth IRA year-end 2025 action checklist
| Action | Deadline | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Roth IRA conversion for 2025 tax year | December 31, 2025 (firm) | High if planning a conversion |
| Confirm 2025 contribution status | April 15, 2026 (can still contribute) | Medium — no year-end urgency |
| Estimate your 2025 MAGI for eligibility check | Before contributing | High if near income limit |
| Review and update beneficiary designations | Anytime — do not delay | High if not reviewed recently |
| Rebalance Roth IRA portfolio (tax-free) | December — ideal time | Medium |
| Check if you had excess contributions | Before October 15, 2026 | High if you may have over-contributed |
Unlike contributions (April 15 deadline), Roth IRA conversions must be executed and settled by December 31. There is no extension. If you want a 2025 Roth conversion, initiate it by December 26 at the latest to allow settlement time. Do not wait until December 31 — most brokerages need 1-3 business days to process.
Estimating Your MAGI Before Year-End
If your income is near the Roth IRA phase-out range ($150,000-$165,000 single; $236,000-$246,000 married), estimate your 2025 MAGI before contributing. Ways to reduce MAGI before December 31: maximize pre-tax 401(k) contributions (increase if you have payroll cycles remaining), maximize HSA contributions, defer any year-end bonuses if possible, and ensure all pre-tax contributions are reflected in your final paycheck.
- Add up your W-2 income, self-employment income, and any other income sources
- Subtract pre-tax 401(k), HSA, and other pre-tax deductions
- Compare to the $150,000 (single) or $236,000 (married) full-contribution threshold
- If you are in the phase-out range, calculate your reduced contribution limit
- If you are above the limit, plan your backdoor Roth IRA for January 2026 (for 2026 contributions)
Year-End Roth Conversion Planning
Year-end Roth conversions should be carefully sized based on your final-year income picture. By November-December, you have most of your 2025 income information. Calculate: your current AGI, how much bracket room you have left before the 22%/24% boundary, and whether a conversion would push you over any IRMAA thresholds (affects Medicare 2 years later). Then convert the optimal amount before December 31.
Calculate Your Roth IRA Contribution for 2025
Enter your 2025 contribution and expected return to see your tax-free balance projection.