When an IRA owner passes away, are distributions due in the year of death?

The required minimum distribution for the year of the owner's death depends on whether the owner died before the required beginning date.

If the owner died before the required beginning date, there is no required minimum distribution in the year of the owner's death.

If the owner died on or after the required beginning date, the IRA beneficiaries are responsible for figuring and distributing the owner's required minimum distribution in the year of death.

Note. You figure the required minimum distribution for the year in which an IRA owner dies as if the owner lived for the entire year.