recharacterize

When you convert an IRA to a Roth, you generally owe income tax on the amount you move over, but you're allowed to undo -- or "recharacterize" -- the conversion and put the money back into a traditional IRA.

Roth Regrets? Still Time to Change Andrea Coombes 2011

If after converting your Roth loses value, "recharacterize" it by transferring the money back into a regular IRA by Oct. 15 of the year following the conversion year.

IRA-to-Roth Deadline Nearly Here Anne Tergesen 2010

Taxpayers have until Oct. 15 of the year following a conversion to decide whether to "recharacterize" "undo" a conversion--a move that can make sense if the securities converted have dropped in value.

Should You Do A Roth IRA Conversion Now? Bernard Kent 2010

Taxpayers have until Oct. 15 of the year following a conversion to decide whether to "recharacterize" "undo" a conversion--a move that can make sense if the securities converted have dropped in value.

Should You Do A Roth IRA Conversion Now? Bernard Kent 2010

But if you go over them, you can "recharacterize" your contribution as a traditional IRA contribution or simply withdraw the money, says Ed Slott,

Handling Excess Contributions to Your Roth IRA 2008

Then, if your tax preparation early next year finds that you have exceeded the Roth income limits, you could "recharacterize" your contribution as a nondeductible, traditional IRA contribution.

Making Contributions to Both Types of IRA 2008

And if your assets fell in value after doing the conversion, you could "recharacterize" the account as a traditional IRA so you wouldn't have to pay income tax on value that no longer exists.

Advantages Abound When Converting to Roth IRA 2008

Second, if you converted traditional IRA assets to a Roth last year, and if those assets have declined in value, you might want to "recharacterize" the Roth as a traditional IRA.

Easing the Pain When IRA Assets Take Severe Dip 2008

In that case, you may want to "recharacterize" the Roth as a traditional IRA.

IRAs May Be Ripe For Shift to Roth 2008

Plus, there is little risk of failure: If your account's value declines after you convert it to a Roth, you can "recharacterize" the transaction -- by turning the account back into a regular IRA.

Some Breathing Room for IRAs Anne Tergesen 2008