Beyond the Basics: How High-Income Earners Can Get More Dollars into a Roth Account

Basics of Roth Accounts

Traditional retirement accounts generally provide an upfront tax deduction but require taxable withdrawals later. Roth IRAs work differently—contributions are made with after‑tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax‑free. Additionally, Roth IRAs are not subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the owner’s lifetime, offering valuable flexibility in managing future income and taxes.

For eligible individuals, the most straightforward way to fund a Roth IRA is through annual contributions up to IRS limits ($7,500 maximum contribution plus a $1,100 catch‑up contribution for those age 50 or older by year end in 2026). However, income limits phase out or eliminate eligibility including single filers above $153,000 (AGI) and joint filers above $242,000. As a result, many high-income earners assume they cannot benefit from Roth strategies—when in fact, several alternatives allow them to accumulate Roth dollars even without direct contributions.

Good news: Beginning in 2026, 401(k) catch‑up contributions for individuals earning $150,000 or more in FICA-taxable wages the prior year must be made on a Roth basis (assuming their plans allow), automatically enabling higher‑income earners to build Roth 401(k) savings.

Using the Backdoor Roth Strategy

The backdoor Roth is a widely used option for those who exceed income limits. However, there are some important considerations—most notably, the pro‑rata rule. If you hold any traditional IRA balances, part of your conversion may be taxable.

The backdoor Roth generally involves three steps:

• • Contribute to a traditional IRA with a zero balance and do not take a tax deduction for the contribution.
  • Transfer (convert) the funds to a Roth IRA as soon as possible to minimize taxable earnings.
  • Report the nondeductible contribution on IRS Form 8606 when filing your tax return.
    

The Mega Backdoor Roth for Small Business Owners

For certain high‑income individuals—especially small business owners—the mega‑backdoor Roth provides an even more powerful opportunity. This strategy is usually available only through an Individual 401(k) plan that permits after‑tax contributions and in‑plan Roth conversions. Roth 401(k)s have no AGI income limits.

Depending on plan design, age, business compensation, and employer contributions, this strategy can allow up to $72,000 and in some circumstances up to $83,250 in Roth contributions.

Typical steps include:

• Make after‑tax contributions to your Individual 401(k) via payroll. These do not generate a tax deduction.
• Convert the after‑tax funds as soon as possible from the 401(k) to a Roth IRA.
  

Deciding How Much to Save in Roth Accounts

There is no universal rule for determining how much of your savings should go to Roth accounts. The optimal mix depends on factors such as:

• Current and expected future tax rates
• Withdrawal flexibility needs
• Long‑term retirement goals

For many people, a combination of pre‑tax and Roth accounts offers the greatest tax‑planning flexibility. Even if not every Roth strategy applies to your situation, understanding these options allows for more informed decisions and can significantly enhance the long‑term success of your financial plan.

Sources:

• IRS: IRA Contribution Limits
• Fidelity: What Is a "Mega Backdoor Roth"?
• Vanguard: Backdoor Roth IRA: What it is and how to set it up

Disclosures:

Apella Capital, LLC (“Apella”), DBA Apella Wealth, is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or excluded or exempt from registration requirements. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission. Apella Wealth provides this communication as a matter of general information. Any data or statistics quoted are from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed or warranted.

Apella Wealth does not provide tax or legal advice and nothing either stated or implied here should be inferred as providing such advice.