An IRA owner can name an entity (such as a charity or other organization), an estate, or a trust as the account's beneficiary. These beneficiaries must transfer their inherited IRA assets to an Inherited IRA. Call an Transition Services specialist at 800-544-0003 for help.
Generally, an entity, estate or trust will be required to transfer the assets from the original IRA to an inherited IRA no later than December 31st following the year of death.
Entity
If the beneficiary is an entity and is transferring inherited IRA assets to an Inherited IRA, the following forms and paperwork are required:
- Fidelity IRA and Inherited IRA Application
- Copy of the decedent's death certificate
- If applicable, a Fidelity Corporate Resolution, or Fidelity Resolution for Unincorporated Business, as applicable (forms sent upon request)
- Documentation confirming who is authorized to sign on the entity's behalf
Note: Consult with your tax advisor to verify if an Inheritance Tax Waiver is required by the decedent's state of residence.
Estate
- Fidelity IRA and Inherited IRA Application
- Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for the estate
- Copy of the decedent’s death certificate
- Probated Estate: Certified copy of court document appointing legal representative of the estate, dated within 90 days of receipt
- Non-Probated Estate: Small Estate Affidavit if estate meets state law criteria
- Please note that Fidelity cannot open an estate account with a Small Estate Affidavit.
Note: Consult with your tax advisor to verify if an Inheritance Tax Waiver is required by the decedent's state of residence.
Trust
If the beneficiary is transferring inherited IRA assets to an Inherited IRA, the following forms and paperwork are required:
- Fidelity IRA and Inherited IRA Application
- Copy of the decedent’s death certificate
- If the trust is intended to comply with the IRS look-through trust rules to satisfy RMD requirements, we require certification from the trustee that the trust meets the look-through requirement and instruction from the trustee on how to distribute the IRA.
- We do not require the entire trust document, but certain pages described as follows: copy of the first page of the trust document (not including the cover) showing the full official name of the trust, the page(s) identifying trustee and successor trustees, and the page(s) with trustee signatures.
Note: Consult with your tax advisor to verify if an Inheritance Tax Waiver is required by the decedent's state of residence.
See the rules for required distributions for entities, estates, and trusts.