dmertz
Level 15

Retirement tax questions

TurboTax's Maximize function for an individual 401(k) doesn't take into account elective deferrals or Roth contributions you've made to another employer's plan, so you have to use a workaround.  In the individual 401(k) section you can enter up to a $14,500 elective deferral or Roth 401(k) contribution, but to calculate the maximum employer contribution you'll have to use the Maximize function for a SEP contribution.  The employer-contribution calculation is the same for both a SEP plan and an individual 401(k).

 

With $30,000 of net profit from self-employment, your maximum employer contribution to the individual 401(k) is $5,576.  Adding the $14,500 of elective deferrals brings the total maximum contribution to your individual 401(k) to $20,076 (or slightly more if you max out the Social Security wage cap between your two jobs, but no more than $20,420).