At what age do required minimum distributions start?
The IRS says you “generally have to start taking withdrawals from your IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, or retirement plan account when you reach age 73.” Those withdrawals are called required minimum distributions, or RMDs. They add to your taxable income. Check the current rule for your birth year with your CPA.
This post is general education, not tax or legal advice. Your CPA or attorney should confirm how any rule applies to you.
Why do RMDs matter to people who give?
Most generous families do not think about RMDs until a letter arrives. By then the amount is set. Pre-tax retirement money has not been taxed yet. Once the RMD starts, the IRS requires you to take money out whether you need it or not.
That has three effects on a giving plan:
- Your taxable income can rise, even if you spend less than you take out.
- You may want to match your gifts to the timing of the withdrawal.
- You may have more choices about how to give than you had at 60.
If you tithe or give beyond that, the RMD year is a good time to ask how your giving and your taxes fit together. Our retirement planning page covers the wider picture. Our guide to retirement income, RMDs and Social Security goes deeper.
What are the deadlines for the first RMD?
The IRS gives two key dates. Your first RMD is due by April 1 of the year after you reach 73. After that, you must withdraw your RMD by December 31 each year.
The IRS also explains the catch: “For the first year following the year you reach age 73, you will generally have two required distribution dates: a withdrawal on April 1 of the year following the year you turn 73 and an additional withdrawal by December 31.”
| Item | What the IRS page says |
|---|---|
| Starting age | You generally must start at age 73 |
| First deadline | April 1 of the year after you reach 73 |
| Later years | Withdraw by December 31 each year |
| Year after your 73rd birthday | Two withdrawals can fall in one tax year |
Taking two withdrawals in one year can push you into a higher bracket for that year. Some people take the first one before April 1 for that reason. Whether that helps you depends on your income, so ask your CPA to model both ways.
What does it cost to miss an RMD?
The IRS says you “may have to pay a 25% excise tax on the amount not distributed as required (10% if withdrawn within 2 years).” That is a tax on the shortfall, on top of the income tax on the withdrawal itself.
Most custodians offer automatic RMD withdrawals. If you give from your IRA, tell your custodian and your CPA at the start of the year so the amounts line up.
Can I give from my RMD?
You may be able to. A qualified charitable distribution, or QCD, is a gift sent directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. According to the IRS, “a QCD will count towards your required minimum distribution.”
A qualified charitable distribution has its own rules about age, which accounts qualify and how much you can give in a year. The IRS says you must be at least age 70½ when the distribution is made. Read our guide to qualified charitable distributions and the companion post on QCDs and donor-advised funds before you act.
A gift made this way is not the same as taking the RMD, depositing it in your bank and writing a check. The first goes straight from the IRA to the charity. The second puts the money in your income first. Your CPA can show you the difference on your return.
What if I do not need the money?
Many retirees take the RMD and spend little of it. The withdrawal still counts as income, so it is taxed, and what is left after taxes may sit in a bank account. That extra cash is a natural place to look for gifts you already planned to make. Some families use it for the year’s giving. Others direct part of it to a donor-advised fund or give it as a QCD instead. The right mix depends on your income, your age and your goals, so run the numbers with your CPA before the year ends.
There is also a family side to this. If you want your children to learn to give, an RMD year can be a good time to talk about what you give and why. Our guide on preparing heirs and legacy conversations offers a place to start.
How can I plan RMDs and giving together?
Work through these steps with your CPA and your advisor each year.
- Find your RMD. Ask your custodian for the amount and the date.
- List your giving. Add up what you give to your church, ministries and other causes.
- Check which accounts hold the money. Pre-tax IRAs, 401(k)s and taxable accounts each have different tax treatment.
- Decide the form of each gift. Cash, appreciated shares, a QCD or a donor-advised fund each work differently.
- Set the calendar. Pick dates for each step, well before December 31.
- Review in January. Check that your custodian’s records match your plan.
If you hold appreciated shares in a taxable account as well, our post on whether to gift appreciated stock or sell first shows a second tool for the same goal.
The required minimum distribution entry in our glossary defines the term in a few lines.
Next step
If RMDs are near and you give regularly, build the plan before the first withdrawal. Start with our retirement planning page to see how Seek First approaches it. Then schedule a free call for a 20-minute complimentary consultation, or call (866) 398-4044.
Frequently asked questions
At what age must I start taking RMDs?
The IRS page we checked says you generally must start taking withdrawals from your IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA or retirement plan account at age 73. Rules differ by account type and can change. Check the current rule for your birth year with your CPA before you plan around a date.
When is my first RMD due?
For IRAs, the first RMD is due by April 1 of the year after you reach age 73. Waiting until April means you take two withdrawals in that second year, which can raise your income that year. Ask your CPA which timing fits your tax picture.
What happens if I miss an RMD?
The IRS says you may have to pay a 25% excise tax on the amount not distributed as required, or 10% if you fix it within two years. Missing one is costly, so set a calendar reminder or ask your custodian to automate it.
Can my RMD go to my church?
In some cases, yes. A qualified charitable distribution is a gift made directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. The IRS says it can count toward your required minimum distribution. It has its own rules, covered in our QCD guide.
Terms on this page
Sources
- IRS: Retirement topics, Required minimum distributions (RMDs)
- IRS: Retirement topics, Required minimum distributions (RMDs) (two deadlines)
- IRS: Retirement topics, Required minimum distributions (RMDs) (penalty)
- IRS: Publication 590-B, Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
- IRS: Publication 590-B, Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) (age)
Written by Seek First and checked against the sources above on November 10, 2026. Tax limits, ages and laws change. This page is general education, not tax, legal or investment advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals about your own situation. Investing involves risk of loss.
