[Chantal]

When to contribute to Roth vs doing a Backdoor Roth when you have unknown income for this year?

My partner and I make over contribution limits for 2024. We both had Roth IRAs that we contributed to for in 2024.

Due to my work it’s difficult to predict how much I’ll actually earn by end of year.

I’ve a 403b account and he has an HSA as well.

Given this, should we start contributing to traditional Roth OR waiting until 1/2026 to max out a 2025 Roth IRA once we know our yearly income?

[Christopher]

Just contribute to tIRA and then backdoor it right away. No need to wait or anything.

Worst case, you backdoor when you didn’t strictly need to, so the only downside is a bit of paperwork.

(Assuming no pre-tax tIRA balance).

[Jule]

I would contribute through the backdoor and forget the guessing game. It is one extra step that takes 30 seconds to immediately convert to Roth (assuming your traditional is at $0).

[Rick]

Another vote for do the backdoor Roth steps and never worry about income limits again. It becomes habit and is really just a few extra steps.

Assuming no other traditional ira money out there for you.

[Author]

Posts