Traditional IRA and Vanguard ETF tax questions

[Riptoast]

I am opening my first traditional IRA (with Vanguard) and have two questions about how to optimize my investing to avoid the most taxes:

1) Is there any way for my IRA to be a payroll deduction like my 401k to avoid paying tax on that money upfront? Otherwise won't I be using post-tax paycheck money to invest in my IRA and only get to "reclaim" that tax at the end of the year when I do my taxes and record the amount I invested in my IRA? I would prefer not to let the government hold my money all year.

2) I already have a taxable account with Vanguard that consists of several ETF's (predominantly VTI, VYM, VNQ, VPU and BND). I want to invest in ETF's with my new IRA funds as well. I'll admit I did not choose these ETF's with tax-efficiency in mind so I'm not sure if they are the best in that regard. But going forward, which ETF's should I choose for the IRA and which should I keep purchasing for the taxable account? (I will be maxing out the IRA first, then putting extra in the taxable account). Is there a simple way to compare each ETF's fully taxable income (ordinary dividends, interest) vs tax-advantaged income (qualified dividends, bond interest), for example? (I couldn't find this through the Vanguard site).

[Nothlit]

1) You will have to make contributions using after-tax money, and then deduct it on your tax return next year. The only accounts I'm aware of that can typically take advantage of payroll deduction would be 401k/403b/etc accounts, HSAs, and FSAs.

2) https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax-efficient_fund_placement

[RWD]

1) Is there any way for my IRA to be a payroll deduction like my 401k to avoid paying tax on that money upfront? Otherwise won't I be using post-tax paycheck money to invest in my IRA and only get to "reclaim" that tax at the end of the year when I do my taxes and record the amount I invested in my IRA? I would prefer not to let the government hold my money all year.

Adjust your W4 withholding so that you withhold less . That will have essentially the same effect.

[Nothlit]

1) Is there any way for my IRA to be a payroll deduction like my 401k to avoid paying tax on that money upfront? Otherwise won't I be using post-tax paycheck money to invest in my IRA and only get to "reclaim" that tax at the end of the year when I do my taxes and record the amount I invested in my IRA? I would prefer not to let the government hold my money all year.

Adjust your W4 withholding so that you withhold less . That will have essentially the same effect.

Be careful with this approach - if you under-withhold, you may owe the IRS a penalty.