The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Taxes => Topic started by: BJC on March 19, 2017, 05:16:27 AM
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Good morning folks. I have a few questions that have been a little hard for me to find answers to online. I have tried to do my own legwork, but I see differing answers. If anyone can recommend a good financial planning source that is inexpensive, I'd appreciate that too.. Maybe somewhere that allows the infrequent phone call.
2016:
My earnings 130k
Wife 65k
Random casino win 9k (I hit a poker jackpot which is treated like a sweepstakes win... Keep "gambling debate to another thread)
Total=204k
Questions:
Can I still deposit into a roth 401k at work (what if I did last year?)
Can I put 18k into 401k and then more into an IRA (does roth traditional matter)
My wife is a teacher and has a pension building and a TDA... Can she too put money in an IRA?... Which type?
While I'm new to the RE movement, I just started dumping 35% of wife's earnings into a TDA (7%guaranteed). Does this change my income so that I can do more rothing?
If I can't put money into a roth IRA for 2016, should(may) I still put money into iras for my wife and I?
If it matters: one dependant child, 11k mortgage interest.
Edit to add: Ran 6k through dependant care account and flex spending combined.
Thank you in advance 'stashonistas.
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Can I still deposit into a roth 401k at work (what if I did last year?) 401k is strictly on a calendar year basis. You can't contribute any more for 2016, but you start at $0 for 2017.
Can I put 18k into 401k and then more into an IRA (does roth traditional matter) In short, yes. But see IRA Deduction Limits (https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/ira-deduction-limits) and links therein for various limits and phaseouts.
My wife is a teacher and has a pension building and a TDA... Can she too put money in an IRA?... Which type? Yes. See link immediately above for details.
While I'm new to the RE movement, I just started dumping 35% of wife's earnings into a TDA (7%guaranteed). Does this change my income so that I can do more rothing? Your MAGI calculation for traditional IRA purposes is https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590a/ch01.html#en_US_2016_publink100025076
Your MAGI calculation for Roth IRA purposes is https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590a/ch02.html#en_US_2016_publink1000230988
If I can't put money into a roth IRA for 2016, should(may) I still put money into iras for my wife and I? See Backdoor Roth IRA - Bogleheads (https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Backdoor_Roth_IRA)
See also How To: Write a "Case Study" Topic (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/case-studies/how-to-write-a-'case-study'-topic/) for some ideas on a overview of your finances, whether you post a case study or not. Good luck!
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Thank you MDM. It looks like I'll do my taxes and see if it is possible to still contribute to an IRA, and if it's beneficial.
I'll also check out the case study link, thanks for the guidance.
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2016:
My earnings 130k
Wife 65k
Random casino win 9k (I hit a poker jackpot which is treated like a sweepstakes win... Keep "gambling debate to another thread)
Total=204k
Questions:
Can I still deposit into a roth 401k at work (what if I did last year?)
With that income, a traditional 401k will be more advantageous for most people. So would a deductible traditional IRA, but the IRS won't let you deduct the IRA with that income. See Traditional versus Roth - Bogleheads (https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Traditional_versus_Roth) for more.
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In my opinion, your income is far too high to do a Roth 401k. You need to max out all of your pre tax accounts, regular 401k contributions, 457 plans, HSA (if you have one), before anything else. Tax savings is the number one way you will get to early retirement faster.
later on when you aren't working and withdraw those amounts, it will be taxed at much lower rates.