What Is Roth IRA? Early Retirement Plan
Let's talk about retirement accounts. If you have wages, you are likely eligible for this very valuable retirement investment vehicle. The IRS deadline for contributing to your Roth Ira is quickly approaching. Here is some important information on the Roth Ira, a key tool for retiring (early).
What Is a Roth IRA?
Roth IRA is an individual retirement account (IRA) that allows qualified withdrawals tax-free provided certain conditions are satisfied. Roth IRAs are similar to traditional IRAs, with the most significant distinction between the two is how they’re taxed. Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars; the contributions are not tax-deductible. But once you start withdrawing funds, the money is tax-free. Conversely, traditional IRA deposits are generally made with pretax dollars; you usually get a tax deduction on your contribution and pay income tax when you withdraw the money from the account during retirement.
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When can I access Roth IRA funds:
At any time, you may withdraw contributions from your Roth IRA, both tax- and penalty-free. If you take out only an amount equal to the sum you've put in, the distribution is not considered taxable income and is not subject to penalty, regardless of your age or how long it has been in the account. In IRS-speak, this is known as a qualified distribution.
However, there's a catch regarding withdrawing account earnings—any returns the account has generated. For the distribution of account earnings to be qualified, it must occur at least five years after the Roth IRA owner established and funded their first Roth IRA. The distribution must occur under at least one of the following conditions:
The Roth IRA holder is at least age 59½ when the distribution occurs.
The distributed assets are used toward the purchase—or to build or rebuild—a first home for the Roth IRA holder or a qualified family member (the IRA owner's spouse, a child of the IRA owner, and/or the IRA owner's spouse, a grandchild of the IRA owner and/or of their spouse, a parent or other ancestor of the IRA owner and/or of their spouse). This is limited to $10,000 per lifetime.
The distribution occurs after the Roth IRA holder becomes disabled.
The assets are distributed to the beneficiary of the Roth IRA holder after the Roth IRA holder's death.
The 5-Year Rule
Withdrawal of earnings may be subject to taxes and/or a 10% penalty, depending on your age and whether you've met the 5-year rule. Here's a quick rundown.
If You meet the 5-year rule:
Under 59½
Earnings are subject to taxes and penalties. You may be able to avoid taxes and penalties if you use the money for a first-time home purchase (a $10,000-lifetime limit applies), if you have a permanent disability, or if you pass away (and your beneficiary takes the distribution).
Age 59½ and older
No taxes or penalties.
If you don’t meet the 5-year rule:
Under 59½
Earnings are subject to taxes and penalties. You may be able to avoid the penalty (but not the taxes) if you use the money for a first-time home purchase (a $10,000-lifetime limit applies), qualified education expenses, unreimbursed medical expenses, if you have a permanent disability, or if you pass away (and your beneficiary takes the distribution).
59½ and older
Earnings are subject to taxes but not penalties.
Contribute to your prior year's Roth IRA before tax day of the current year - typically April 15. Talk to your tax accountant for detailed information.
This information came from Investopedia. We encourage you to talk to your accountant about your specific situation before investing.
How a Roth IRA works
A Roth IRA is an individual retirement account in which money grows tax-free and withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Here are the five key characteristics of a Roth IRA.
You pay taxes on money you put in the account. You cannot deduct the contributions on your taxes.
In 2022 you can contribute up to $6,000 depending on your income ($7,000 if you're 50 or older).
You cannot contribute to a Roth IRA if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) was more than $139,000 in (single filers) or $206,000 (married filing jointly).
In 2022 the MAGI limit is $144,000, up from $140,000 (single filers) or $208,000 (married filing jointly). (The backdoor Roth strategy offers a workaround to these limits.) You should double check these numbers for yourself each year.
People at least 59½ years old and who hold their accounts for at least five years can take distributions, including earnings, without paying federal taxes.
You don't have to take any money out of your Roth IRA if you don't want to. There are no required minimum distributions (RMDs).
Who can open a Roth IRA?
To open a Roth IRA, you must have earned income and your income cannot exceed certain limits. Here are the basic rules and qualifications.
You must be under the income limit.
To contribute to a Roth IRA, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be under the IRS limits.
You must be under the income limit.
You must have income from work (the IRS term is "taxable compensation"). The max you can contribute to a Roth in a year is your income from work or $6,000 ($7,000 if you're age 50 or older), whichever is less.
Learn all of the details on the IRS website. Then, talk with your tax accountant!
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