Rothing and unrothing before Nov 1, 1998

[Guest LydiaLerner]

I intially converted my IRA to a Roth IRA during high stock market valuations. I read that if one reconverts prior to November 1, 1998, it is as if the conversion never occurred. I went to the discount brokerage office and requested the form to switch back

on October 29. I was told that this would not be processed in operations until November 15. I asked for a receipt. They didn't provide one but I took a copy of the form. If the stock market dips again, I may reconvert to Roth but wonder if the regs will consider this transaction to have occurred on October 29 or on the "process" date. Thanks.

[Dawn Hafner]

I think you need to look to the actual transaction date, not the date of request, but it shouldn't make a huge difference to you. Even if your transaction date was in November you still have the opportunity to reconvert twice; once between the dates of November 1, 1998 and December 31, 1998, and again from January 1, 1999 and December 31, 1999. See IRS Notice 98-50 on this site for examples.