IRA RMD Not Taken in Year of Death

[Burke]

Taxpayer died before taking RMD. IRA has named beneficiary. Does RMD go to beneficiary? Or to the Estate as Income in Respect of a Decedent, then paid to bene? Executor has been told the latter by CFP. I think he is wrong. Estate is not the beneficiary.

[ATB]

Taxpayer died before taking RMD. IRA has named beneficiary. Does RMD go to beneficiary? Or to the Estate as Income in Respect of a Decedent, then paid to bene? Executor has been told the latter by CFP. I think he is wrong. Estate is not the beneficiary.

If the RMD was not taken in the year of death by the decedent, then the beneficiary is required to take out the RMD based on their life expectancy.

[TAX4US]

That is the way I thought also. Heir must take upon meeting certain rules. Tax Book has a good article on the distribution rules in this case.