I'm 22. Can I contribute up to 15% of my pre-tax salary for my company sponsored 401K & invest another $4000 in tax free Roth IRA? Or do the IRS only allows me to do one of the two?
217260
I know that you can do both.
204282
I just spoke to the principal of an international school about this last week.  His school has worked out a Roth with an office that is in a U.S. territory nearby.  The tax is prepaid so there's no tax or penalty paid at retirement.  Email a investor in the Mainland to see what they can offer.  Some offices are just ignorant of the law, as most folks are for most things like voting, taxes, shipping things to people who are abroad.  You may want to email an investment group someplace like the Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico...  They're more familiar with policies and retirement programs for Americans living outside the Mainland.
198727
You should use 4000 to put into a ROTH IRA.  You can put another 4000 in a ROTH IRA for your wife.  If you are taking advantage of the tax deduction of mortgage interest, your interest rate is effectively 4%, so it probably makes more sense to invest rather than pay off your mortgage.\nYou might want to put your 2000 into municipal bonds which will give you tax-free income.
4537
http://www.thestreet.com/funds/taxforum/955718.html\n\nFor IRS (federal tax, not state) \n\nYou should file if you fit into any of the following categories.\n\nUnearned income, like interest and dividends, exceeds $700 annually; or \n\nEarned income, like wages and tips, is over $4,400 a year; or \n\nThe total of unearned and earned income is greater than the larger of (a) $700, or (b) earned income (up to $4,150) plus $250.
10465
Does your employer have a 401k?  Make sure to contribute enough into it that you are getting the full match.  Then start a Roth IRA.
283676
Do things in the following order:\n\nMake sure you have an emergency fund that you can access equivalent to 3 months of expenses (not 3 months of income).\n\nPay off high-interest debt (if you have any).\n\nThen, if you have money that you won't need for a long time, you can take the following steps:\n\nIf your company offers a 401(k) with matching funds, participate in it up to the full matching amount (free money is good).  Put half into a total stock market index and half into an international index.\n\nFully fund your Roth IRA.  Use the same asset allocation as for your 401(k).\n\nIf that doesn't max out your savings, go back to the 401(k) and contribute up to the limit.
529626
I'd also like to add that the funding of a Roth or any other IRA is by calendar year Jan1-Dec31. You may also make a contribution and designate it for 2006 anytime prior to the 2007 tax filing deadline on or about April 15th. The limit she can contribute for 2006 is $4,000 or the amount of earned income, whichever is less.\n\nVanguard, Fidelity, and T. Rowe Price are all good companies and your mother decides on what type of investments she wants based on her risk tolerance.
262682
Roth IRA eligibility phases out at the following levels:\n\n    * $150,000 to $160,000: Married Filing Jointly\n    * $0 to $10,000: Married Filing Separately (and you lived with your spouse at any time during the year)\n    * $95,000 to $110,000: Single, Head of Household or Married Filing Separately (and you did not live with your spouse)\n\nGenerally speaking, a Roth IRA is the best option for *most* people, since it allows for tax-free withdrawals.  This tends to outweigh the up-front tax benefits of the traditional IRA for most people.\n\nAs for where to open your Roth IRA account, Vanguard, T Rowe Price and Fidelity all have large families of no-load funds that you can use to best fit your risk tolerance.\n\nBefore you do any of this, I'd suggest that you make a small investment in a book which will give you a solid foundation on how to invest your money.  The one I generally give to high school graduates, college graduates and newlyweds is "The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need" by Andrew Tobias.  It actually comes close to living up to its billing and it's an easy read.\n\nIf you'd like to learn more or get other recommendations on how to educate yourself more, click on my name and send me a note.
65484
I am certain that you can NOT take losses on a Roth IRA. I know that you Can't take such loses with a 401K and assume the same would apply.
20931
OK, you CANNOT roll a 401k account directly into a Roth IRA. You can roll your money into a Traditional IRA and avoid any taxation and penalties. (Definetly a good idea.)\n\nYou could then convert your Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, but in doing this you would have to include the amount you convert as taxable income (pay income tax on the full amount). This may push you into a higher tax bracket, depending on your income and the size of your account.\n\nAssets in a Traditional IRA will be taxed when you withdraw them in retirement while the Roth IRA assets can be withdrawn tax free in retirement. Speak with a financial planner to help decide which choice is best for you.
416518
No you can not. You can roll into your new 401k, an IRA or other qualified retirement plan. You can NOT roll direct into a Roth IRA.\n\nAll the 401k rules can be found at:\n\nhttp://www.advancedwealthsolutions.com\n\nGood luck!
74804
Since your company does not match and if you have never own a home before, you should set up a Roth IRA since you can withdraw up to $10,000 for a down payment on your first home and leave the rest in there tax defer and withdraw it later tax free.\nOtherwise it is all depend on your tax bracket now and later, when you withdraw.\nYou have more control of where to invest your money on the Roth, since it is self directed. Whereas in your 401K, you have a limited choice of funds to choose from.
167759
In a traditional 401(k) plan, your contributions cannot exceed 15k for 2006.  Your employer match doesn't count.
503935
In a Roth, you can withdraw any amount you put in tax free...if you take out more (contributions+earnings) then the amount above contributions (earnings) is taxable.  If you are younger than 59 1/2...which you are...then it would also have a 10% penalty.  But! Since you are only taking out contributions...no worries.
360758
First of all, 401(k) contributions and IRA contributions do not figure into itemized deductions.\n\nIf your joint income was over $85,000, you are not eligible to deduct anything for 2006 for an IRA contribution. Your participation in the 401(k) during the early part of the year cannot be undone. If your joint income is under $75,000, you may still make a deductible IRA contribution; and if it is over $75,000 but less than $85,000 the amount of the allowed deduction will be limited.
200807
401(k) have a maximum amount of contribution so you would have to check what is that amount. And Im not sure if you can contribute a lump sum. I know that if you have a traditional IRA, you have until April to put in any last minute contributions for 2005, so probably the same can be done.\n\nAs for legal ways to reduce your tax, I mean if you itemized and have your own property, you can deduct the real estate taxes and mortgage interest paid in the property. Also you can deduct medical expenses, charitable contributions, union dues, tax preparation fees, unreimbursed employee expenses. If you live in state where there is a sales tax, you can deduct such amount either by entering the exact value of sales tax you paid or using the IRS tables to calculate an amount. Also if you recently bought any vehicle or boat in 2005, you can also deduct the sales tax on that purchase. \n\nWhat else, oh yeah, if you live in area that was affected by the hurricanes, an area that has been designated by the IRS as a disaster area, you can take other several deductions that can help you out. \n\nIf you have any student loans, you can deduct the interest on those loans. Or if you still go to school, you can deduct the tuition expense.\n\nIf I knew a bit more info on you I could probably help you out more.\n\nHope this helps!
407354
Are you thinking of a ROTH IRA?  It is named after the author of the bill allowing/creating this type of investment that allows for tax free withdrawals at retirement because the contributions have already been taxed.  Unlike a traditional IRA where the contributions are pre-tax and you pay the taxes once you begin withdrawing at retirement.\n\nRoth was the legislator who contrived this investment.