Roth IRA conversion tax reporting. I am so confused!

[nmmi]

34. And then there is the NOT-simple matter about how much estimated tax to pay

if you don't pay enough tax either through withholding at the time of the conversion (similarly in the future when you take RMDs), and/or don't pay enough estimated taxes, you will owe a penalty and interest for underpaying estimated taxes. It's not punitively high, in didn't ruin my day when it happened to me, but it's a thing.

There are safe harbor provisions that make it easier. For most people:

1. If you pay in the same amount of taxes this year (deadline Jan 15, 2025) (I'm assuming you do a conversion this year) as you paid last year, you won't be charged an underestimation penalty or interest on the underpayment. If you used 1040-SR (for seniors) when you filed 2023 taxes, the amount you paid in 2023 is line 24. "Add lines 22 and 23. This is your total tax".

2. Ditto If you pay 90% or more of the taxes for the year than what your actual tax amount turns out to be, you are OK

3. Ditto if you end up owing less than $1,000 in taxes, you are OK

Google:
what is the safe harbor tax rule

And one has to do all this for state income taxes too, which may have different safe harbor rules / thresholds

as long as y'all didn't mind replying

Speaking for myself, I'm happy to do it. It's payback for all who have helped me with all kinds of issues in the past