Solo 401K vs Solo Roth 401K
My daughter is self employed and submits a Sched C during tax time and contributes the age related max Roth IRA every year. She is contemplating switching to either a Solo 401K or a Solo Roth 401K. Could you please describe the tax implications of each of them annually while she is in the contributing phase, and later when she is taking her distributions.
Are the relationship between Solo 401K and Solo Roth 401K the same a between TIRA and Roth IRA for the owner’s portion of the contribution? What about the portion of the contribution made by the business. How is that treated in the case of the Solo 401K vs Solo Roth 401K when the time comes to take out the distributions.
Thank you for your opinion and help in subject related to Retirement
Permalink Submitted by Alan - IRA critic on Tue, 2024-10-01 12:32
Preferred contribution type for employer plans is the same as for IRAs. Generally, the person should do pre tax contributions if their current tax rate is expected to be higher than in retirement, and Roth if the current tax rate is lower. If about the same or cannot be estimated, it does not matter and perhaps contributions should then be split between pre tax and Roth, hedging for both situations. Some custodians do not offer solo Roth 401 plans and that do offer them do not provide for in plan Roth rollovers, which converts pre tax contributions to the Roth account.
Employer matching Roth contributions are now available, but some custodians do not yet offer them. If offered, a Roth matching contribution will be included in taxable income for the year in which it is made. Therefore, a Sch C filer would normally be making the matching contribution in the year following the tax year and would be taxed in that following tax year.
Roth 401k balances are usually rolled over to a Roth IRA once the business ceases. When that Roth IRA is qualified (5 years and age 59.5) all distributions are tax free.
She should inquire which of these options are available (or will be in 2025) when considering the plan administrator for the solo plan.