What is an IRA? - RKB Accounting & Tax Services

1. 647-692-5677 info@rkbaccounting.ca  What is an IRA?

2. by admin November 28, 2021 Are you thinking about your retirement? Of course!  But it has a long way to go.  Dear friend, you need to act and plan it now. The important thought in this regard to consider is that, will you be able to generate the same amount of money when you reach 60ies or less? Maybe, or may not be sure? Then let’s plan it, in the most tax-e몭cient way. Your goal would be to pay lower income taxes on your income in a long run at the same time secure your future.   Individual Retirement tax saving plan A retirement tax saving plan allows you to save income tax to the extent of the amount you contribute to your retirement saving plan in the year you contribute to the plan. In other words, your gross income for the tax year is reduced by the amount you have contributed to your retirement saving plan. Although it is called a tax-saving plan in the year, you contribute, but in reality, it is a tax deferral plan, unless it is a Roth IRA. When you withdraw money, maybe later years or after you retire, the amount you withdraw will be added to your income. You have to pay tax at that time of withdrawal. This tax deferral helps you pay a minimum tax on your income over the long run. Assuming you are in a high tax bracket right now and when you get older or reach your retirement age, you will be in a lower tax bracket. Please refer to tax brackets on the “Latest News” page on our website for more information.

3. Of course, one of the signi몭cant bene몭ts is the tax deferral and minimizing your overall income tax in the long run. However, there are other bene몭ts as well. You can use this savings as a 몭rst-time homebuyer. It promotes your saving habits. This saving also works as your security deposit for any unforeseen 몭nancial stress you may come across in your future. There are limits to how much you can contribute to your retirement tax saving plans in a year. In this blog, we are going to discuss more on the retirement tax saving plans in the United States. In Canada, this plan is called the “RRSP” Registered retirement saving plan, and in the United States, it is called the “IRA” individual retirement plan. Please visit our blog “RRSP Tax Planning” for more details on the Canadian registered retirement savings plan. Individual Retirement Account (IRA) in the United States IRA is the same as we discussed above “retirement tax saving plan” in the United States. There are basically two types of IRS.

4. Traditional IRA A Traditional IRA is called a Tax-deferred retirement savings account. Under this plan, you invest your pre-tax money in IRA. The amount you contribute to IRA reduces your income for that year, and you pay lower income tax on a lower income. Roth IRA A Roth IRA is called a Tax-free retirement savings account. Under this plan, you invest your after-tax money in IRA. Tradition Vs. Roth IRA You invest your pre-tax money into Tradition IRA while you invest your after-tax money into Roth IRA. Your contribution to Traditional IRA reduces your taxable income, while your investment into Roth IRA does not. Withdrawals from Traditional IRA are taxable when you withdraw, including any gain/income on the investment. Withdrawals from Roth IRA are not taxable when you withdraw, including any gain/income on the investment. To be eligible to invest in Roth IRA, an income threshold applies while there is no such income threshold for Traditional IRA.

5. There is a minimum distribution requirement for Traditional IRA, which starts at the age of 72, while no such minimum requirement for Roth IRA. The bene몭t of a 401k plan Under the traditional plan, the amounts contributed by you are not taxable. For example, your employer has agreed to pay you gross wages of 100k/year.  Assuming you want to contribute $6k/year to your IRA plan. On your tax return for the year, you will only pay income tax on your wages of $94k i.e. $100k minus your contribution of $6k. You saved an income tax of $6k. You did not pay income tax on $6k that went to your retirement investment. Now, you will invest your $6k retirement to the stocks/몭nancial market, and the income or gains on this investment will also not be taxable. Your principal investments and any income or gains on this investment will only be taxable in the year you withdraw and you have to pay income tax at that time. So the real tax savings is from the tax deferral. Assuming that today you are paying 30%  tax on your income. You are above the base level tax bracket. When you retire your tax bracket might be 15% and hence you will save 15%(30% – 15%) income tax on your $6k investment plus on any income or gain. Please visit our “Latest News” for tax brackets. Contribution limit Under both the above plans, up to the age of 50, you can contribute to your IRA $6,000 every year if you are older than 50. Your limit to contribute increases to $7,000 every year. Penalty for withdrawal Under both the above plans, if you withdraw before the age of 59.5 years, a penalty will apply. While discussing your retirement savings and tax deferral options you must have come across another term called “401(k) plans. Please visit

6. our other blog “401k” for more information about this plan. Disclaimer: Information in the blog/post/article has been presented for a broad and simple understanding. This is not legal advice. RKB Accounting & Tax Services does not accept any liability for its application in any real situations. You need to contact your accountant or us for further information Quick Links About Us Blogs FAQ Contact Us Copyright © 2022 | Design & Developed By RKB Accounting.