Retirement
The most frequently asked tax questions related to Retirement
test
Asked Wednesday, December 03, 2025 by TedQuick Answer:
withdraw mistaken IRA after tax contributions
Asked Wednesday, November 12, 2025 by MarkI mistakenly had a direct deposit go to my IRA account. This would be an after-tax contribution to an account that otherwise has all pre-tax contributions. Is it possible to remove just this deposit?
CPA Answer:
Yes remove this deposit from your IRA account, you will be over the limit and have to pay a penalty to the IRS. Talk to your financial advisor as to how to go about doing this. Keep a detailed record of the money going in and the money coming out. This needs to be done by year-end
Jeanne Adams
How to fix an excess contribution to a SEP IRA
Asked Thursday, August 28, 2025 by LisaIn '25, I contributed too much to my personal SEP IRA for '24. I had part of the excess recharacterized as a trad. IRA contrib for '25 and am using a form to withdraw the remaining excess. All seems clear except I have to choose a correction method- IRC404(h) or EPCRS. Which do I choose? What happens if I choose incorrectly? Will there be other documents or forms required later depending on my choice? (I filed for an extension for '24 taxes. I will not have any self-employment income in '25.)
Quick Answer:
Backdoor IRA
Asked Friday, November 19, 2021 by DmitryHello, I am from CA state. I have 401k from the job. roth IRA income limits do not allow me to contribute directly to the roth IRA. Is it ok for me to open Traditional IRA, contribute after-tax money ($6000 limit) into it and transfer them to the Roth IRA. I do not have any other IRA accounts. only 401K and company RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN (not contribution from me into this account).
CPA Answer:
Yes the backdoor IRA strategy will work for you. One note of caution is that there is potential this strategy will be limited if the version of the Build Back Better Act that is about to go to the Senate for a vote passes. Consider making the move soon as some of those provisions will take effect Jan of 2022.
Additionally note that there is a possibility of the side door Roth if your plan at work allows non deductible 401k Contributions. Reach out if you want to discuss further
2018- Social Security
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
On Schedule SE for 2018, self-employment tax of 15.3% applies to earnings of up to $128,400 after the earnings are reduced by 7.65%. The 15.3% rate equals 12.4% for Social Security (6.2% employee share and 6.2% employer share) plus 2.9% for Medicare.
If net earnings exceed $128,400, the 2.9% Medicare rate applies to the entire amount. One half of the self-employment tax may be claimed as an above-the-line deduction on Schedule 1 of Form 1040.
Social Security wage base
Asked Monday, October 31, 2016 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
In 2017, the Social Security wage base is raised to $127,200. The maximum amount of Social Security tax a taxpayer will pay in 2017 will increase from $7,347 in 2016 to $7,886.40 in 2017. An increase of $539.40.
in 2017, the Social Security tax rate on employers and employees stays at 6.2%. The Medicare tax rate on employers and employees stays at 1.45% on all pay.
Deadline to set up Retirement Plan
Asked Thursday, February 28, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
SEP IRA - Deadline to establish the plan is the due date of the tax return, including extensions and the Deadline to fund the plan is due date of the tax return, including extensions.
Simple IRA - Deadline to establish the plan is October 1st of that year and the Deadline to fund the plan for the Employee contributions must be withheld from pay by December 31st and remitted to the investment firm as soon as reasonably possible and the Employer contribution must be made by the tax return due date, including extensions.
401-K or 403(b)- Deadline to establish the plan is October 1st of that year for safe harbor plans, otherwise December 31st of that year. Deadline to fund the plan for the Employee contributions must be withheld from pay by December 31st and remitted to the investment firm as soon as reasonably possible and the Employer contribution must be made by the tax return due date, including extensions.
Defined Benefit Plans and Profit Sharing Plans and Keough Plans must be set up by Dec 31st of that tax year.
Social Security - Mailing of Paper checks to end
Asked Thursday, January 31, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
New Social Security beneficiaries have been required to choose an electronic payment option since May 2011, and approximately 93 % of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments are already being made electronically.
Social Security - 2013 Rate
Asked Tuesday, January 15, 2013 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The 2011 Payroll Tax Cut temporarily lowered the social security tax rate for the employee to 4.2% in 2011.The employer will still need to pay 6.2%