First RMD Deadline Decision — Take It Now or Wait Until April 1?
Should you take your first Required Minimum Distribution in year one, or delay until April 1?
When you reach the RMD starting age (73 for most people), you have a one-time choice: take your first Required Minimum Distribution by December 31 of that year, or delay it until April 1 of the following year (the Required Beginning Date). This is the only year in which this delay is available — all subsequent RMDs must be taken by December 31.
The April 1 grace period sounds generous, but it comes with a cost: if you delay, you must take two full RMDs in that second year — the delayed first-year RMD plus the regular second-year RMD. This doubles your taxable income from RMDs in that year, which can push you into a higher tax bracket or trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges.
Calculate Your 2026 RMD
Age 73 · Balance $500,000 → ~$18,868 RMD
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Key RMD Rules
- 1First RMD option 1: take by December 31 of the year you turn 73. One distribution that year.
- 2First RMD option 2: delay until April 1 of the year after you turn 73 (Required Beginning Date). Then take the second-year RMD by December 31 of that same year — two distributions in one year.
- 3All subsequent RMDs must be taken by December 31 of each year — the April 1 option is only for the very first distribution.
- 4The delayed first-year RMD is calculated using the December 31 balance from the year you turned 73.
When Delaying to April 1 Makes Sense
Delaying is beneficial if: (1) You are in a significantly lower tax bracket in the delay year than the current year. For example, if you retire mid-year and have high income from January through June, delaying the RMD to the following lower-income year saves taxes. (2) You expect major deductions in the following year (large medical expenses, charitable giving) that could offset the double distribution.
When Taking It in Year One Makes Sense
Taking the first RMD in year one is usually better if: (1) You have no reason to expect lower income in the following year. (2) The double distribution in year two would push you into a higher bracket or past an IRMAA threshold. (3) You want simplicity — one distribution per year is easier to track. Most financial advisors recommend taking the year-one RMD in year one for this reason.
Common RMD Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠Thinking you can delay every year's RMD to April 1 — the April 1 grace period applies only to the very first RMD.
- ⚠Not modeling the tax impact of receiving two RMDs in one year before deciding to delay.
- ⚠Forgetting to take the regular second-year RMD by December 31 when a first-year RMD was delayed to April of that year.
Related RMD Tools & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or financial advice. RMD rules are based on IRS Publication 590-B and SECURE 2.0 Act provisions. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation. IRS rules may change; verify current requirements at irs.gov.