Roth vs Traditional IRA for the Self-Employed
Sole proprietors comparing Roth and Traditional IRA contributions alongside SEP and Solo 401(k) options.
Roth vs Traditional comparisons are done in your browser; no account or contribution details are transmitted.Try: Current age=30, Retirement age=65, Annual contribution=7000, Current tax bracket=22, Expected retirement bracket=15, Expected annual return=7 → $822,509, $754,773, $67,736
How to use
Self-employed savers can use an IRA, but SEP IRA and Solo 401(k) allow much higher contributions. The Roth-versus-Traditional choice still follows the same after-tax logic; pick the vehicle by how much you want to shelter.
FAQ
Should a sole proprietor use an IRA or SEP?
An IRA caps at $7,500 (2026), while a SEP can reach 25% of net earnings. Use the IRA if you only want a small shelter; SEP for larger amounts.
Is the Roth choice the same when self-employed?
The tax math is identical — only the account type and limits change.
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