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February 24, 2020
Question

Solo 401K and MEGA Backdoor ROTH

  • February 24, 2020
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

I have question for MEGA BACKDOOR ROTH IRA. How does it work.
I am Self employed and from prior year I have SEP-IRA, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Solo-401K account.

Here is what I am trying to do. I want to contribute to MEGA BACKDOOR ROTH IRA. I am contributing max to tax-deferred Solo 401K. To contribute remaining amount (say 20K) upto 56K limit, what I should make sure.


1. Transfer existing SEP-IRA, Rollover IRA and Traditional IRA to Solo 401K to make 
aggregate value of all Traditional IRA to zero.
2. Contribute to Solo 401K (up to tax deferred limit)
3A. Contribute non deductible 20K to Solo 401K Roth 
or
3B. Contribute 20K to Solo 401K and convert 20K to Individual Roth IRA.

Or let me know know if incorrect.


Thanks

    1 reply

    February 29, 2020

    To have a Mega Back Door Roth IRA your retirement plan needs to have two components

     

    Your 401k Plan Must Meet Specific Criteria To Do A Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

    In order to do a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA, your 401k plan needs to offer:

    • After-Tax Contributions Above and Beyond the $19,500 Pre-Tax Contribution Limits
    • In Service Distributions Or Non-Hardship Withdrawals 

    If these two conditions are part of the retirement plan then you contribute to the 401K up to the limit for pre-tax contributions.  Then contribute to the plan after-tax contributions up to the limit of 25% of your pre-tax income or $56,000 or if you are over 50 years old you can add another $6,000.  Which ever is less.

     

    Then you transfer the after-tax contributions to your Roth IRA account.

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