Tax Special – Conversions, Contributions, HSAs, Tax Returns, Tax Software PSA: Q&A #2608

The Retirement and IRA Show

Jim Saulnier, CFP® & Chris Stein, CFP®

Business, Investing

4.3 • 730 Ratings

🗓️ 21 February 2026

⏱️ 81 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim and Chris are joined by Jake Turner to discuss listener emails in this special tax related episode covering Roth conversions after RMD age, balancing Roth versus Traditional IRA contributions, HSA versus Roth contributions, IRA reporting questions, filing deceased tax returns, and a listener PSA on tax planning software.

(11:30) A listener asks whether converting to a Roth makes sense at age 75 while currently in the 12% bracket and taking RMDs, and whether recent tax law changes create a strategy opportunity.

(20:20) George wonders whether his 30-something children should continue using Roth contributions exclusively or begin balancing with Traditional IRA contributions as their wages increase, and asks what percentage split between Traditional and Roth accounts looks reasonable in retirement.

(48:45) The guys discuss whether covering medical expenses from an HSA and contributing to a Roth IRA, or leaving the HSA intact and paying medical bills out of pocket will result in greater retirement spending flexibility.

(57:00) Jim, Chris, and Jake address whether a spouse who retired during the year is considered covered by a workplace plan, how to answer prior nondeductible IRA contribution questions, and whether Form 8606 is required after making and converting a small IRA contribution in the same year.

(1:10:30) George asks how to handle the direct deposit of a refund on a deceased final 1040, including whether to use the estate bank account with an EIN or the decedent’s existing account, and whether a paper check remains an option.

(1:15:30) A listener PSA introduces Catalyst Tax Insights, a free tool to run “what if” scenarios and estimate taxes owed without using full tax software.

The post Tax Special – Conversions, Contributions, HSAs, Tax Returns, Tax Software PSA: Q&A #2608 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The retirement and IRA show represents the words and views of the show hosts exclusively and should not be construed as investment legal or tax advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources. However, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. All economic and performance information is historical in nature and is not indicative of any future results. Any indices mentioned on the show are unmanaged and cannot be invested indirectly. Diversityiversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure profit or protect against loss.
0:23.7	Never make any investment or financial decisions based on information offered on this show
0:26.8	without first consulting your financial legal or tax advisor.
0:29.6	Financial planning services offered through Jim Solnior and Associates LLC, a registered investment
0:33.3	advisor.
0:43.3	This is the retirement and IRA show coming to you from beautiful Northern Colorado.
0:49.5	Join us as certified financial planner Jim Sondier, as well as Colorado State University Finance Instructor and Certified Financial Planner Chris Stein, teach you about IRAs, 401k's, annuities,
0:56.3	Social Security, pension plans, and estate planning in a fun and enjoyable show. Whether you
1:02.0	are listening live in Colorado or streaming from their website or iTunes podcast, Jim and Chris want
1:07.9	you to know that they're available to help you plan for your retirement.
1:11.5	Just visit their website at Jimhelps.com.
1:14.6	That's Jim H-E-L-P-S dot com and click the Meet the Team button on the homepage.
1:20.9	Now here's Jim and Chris with today's show.
1:26.1	Hello, everybody, and welcome to the Retirement and IRA show, Q&A edition for this week.
1:33.7	Coming to you from a chilly Colorado, kind of nice, feels a little more like winter right before spring comes shortly.
1:44.7	Today's show, the Q&A show, is going to be a, what we call a tax-focused Q&A show,
1:50.5	where we get caught up on a batch of tax-related questions,
1:55.5	and that's kind of tis the season, if you will, since we're now fully underway in tax prep season, now that we're, you know, two thirds of the way or so through the month of February.
2:09.2	Given that it's a tax focus show, we've got Jake from the office back on.
2:13.9	Jake is a planner on our team.
2:17.0	Also, he has some focus on the tax side. He's an
2:20.1	enrolled agent, which is a particular designation that allows him to represent people in front
	...

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