Checklist: IRA Conversions

Things to do this weekend with your money:

Last month, the IRS extended the deadline for reversing a 1998 Roth IRA conversion until Dec. 31, citing taxpayer confusion. Because Roth IRAs offer such powerful tax advantages, it’s worth taking some time to understand them and determine whether they fit into your financial plan.

Today

Contributing to a Roth IRA makes sense for many taxpayers who cannot deduct a contribution to a traditional IRA--and even for some who can. For more information, visit http://stats.nohib.com./invest101. Other sources include Gary Trock’s book “The Roth IRA Made Simple” (Conquest Publishing, 1998, $14.95) or visit https://www.rothira.com.

Saturday

Congress gave taxpayers four years to pay the tax if they converted to a Roth IRA in 1998. But you can still convert all or part of a traditional IRA this year, provided your adjusted gross income--whether as a married couple or a single person--is under $100,000; other restrictions apply. The tax must be paid by April 15.

Sunday

If you converted a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 1998 but had adjusted gross income of more than $100,000 or were married but filed separate tax returns, expect to hear from the IRS. The agency is sending out more than 20,000 notices to taxpayers who appear to have violated the Roth IRA conversion rules. You can get more information by calling the IRS at (800) 829-1040 or by visiting its Web site at https://www.irs.gov; the conversion must be reversed by Dec. 31 to avoid penalties.

Your Viewing and Listening

Some highlights of business programming. (All times PDT)

Today

* 3:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m.: “Moneyline.” (CNN)

* 5:30 p.m.: “Nightly Business Report.” James Dines, editor, “The Dines Letter.” (KCET; also airs at 6:30 p.m. on KOCE)

* 8:30 p.m.: “Wall Street Week With Louis Rukeyser.” W. Allen Reed, president and CEO, General Motors Investment Management. (KCET; also airs Saturday at 6 p.m. on KOCE)

Saturday

* 4 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m.: “Your Money.” (CNN)

* 9 a.m.: “The Motley Fool Radio Show.” John Bogle, Vanguard Fund, and Pokemon gambling lawsuit. (KFI-AM [640])

* 11:30 a.m.: “CBS MarketWatch Weekend.” How to get in on IPOs; a report on venture capital investments. (KCBS)

* Noon, 5:30 p.m.: “Moneyweek.” (CNN)

* 1 p.m.: “Money Talk” with Bob Brinker. (KABC-AM [790])

Sunday

* 10 a.m.: “Mr. Money” with Mark Rothstein. (KRLA-AM [1110])