 rather than owing the taxes on your distributions. So while you can't contribute to a Roth IRA if your income exceeds certain levels, that's $153,000 for single filers or $228,000 for joint filers, you can convert your traditional plan to a Roth at any time. However, you'll have to pay income taxes on the amount of that conversion, just as if you withdrew the money from your IRA. So it's a fully taxable activity.