Retirement

test

Asked Wednesday, December 03, 2025 by Ted

Quick Answer:

This is not a tax question. I can only address inquiries related to tax matters.

Retirement

withdraw mistaken IRA after tax contributions

Asked Wednesday, November 12, 2025 by Mark

I 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


Answer Provided by: Jeanne Adams Jeanne Adams

Retirement

How to fix an excess contribution to a SEP IRA

Asked Thursday, August 28, 2025 by Lisa

In '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:

Since you're correcting an excess SEP IRA contribution for a prior tax year (2024), and you have no 2025 self-employment income, IRC Section 404(h) is not applicable. This section deals with correct...

Retirement

Backdoor IRA

Asked Friday, November 19, 2021 by Dmitry

Hello, 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

Answer Provided by: personimage David Huff

Social Security

2018- Social Security

Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For 2018, the tax rate on the employee portion of Social Security is 6.2% on wages up to $128,400, so Social Security tax withholdings should not exceed $7,960.80. Medicare tax of 1.45% is withheld from all wages regardless of amount.

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.
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Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Social Security

Social Security wage base

Asked Monday, October 31, 2016 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

In 2016, there is no increase in the Social Security wage base of $118,500. 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. BUT...
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.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Retirement Planning

Deadline to set up Retirement Plan

Asked Thursday, February 28, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

IRA (Traditional or Roth) Deadline to establish the plan and the Deadline to fund the plan is April 15th of the following year.
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.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Social Security

Social Security - Mailing of Paper checks to end

Asked Thursday, January 31, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

On March 1, 2013, the Treasury department will stop mailing paper checks to Social Security recipients. Retirees will be required to choose to have their Social Security payments either directly deposited into a bank or credit union account or loaded onto a prepaid Direct Express Debit MasterCard.
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.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Social Security

Social Security - 2013 Rate

Asked Tuesday, January 15, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The 2012 social security tax rate is 6.2% of your earnings (or 12.4% for self employed tax),The employer will still need to pay 6.2%
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%
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Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory