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New Member
posted Mar 3, 2025 1:01:17 PM

can I do a backdoor roth ira for the tax amount due and claim that in 2024 tax filing? If so how do I do.

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4 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 3, 2025 2:41:05 PM

If you are looking to reduce your tax due, a backdoor Roth will not work.  The traditional IRA contribution would be nondeductible, so your tax due would not decrease.

New Member
Mar 3, 2025 3:19:08 PM

Can I not do a traditional  non deductible IRA and convert to ROTH IRA and claim the ROTH IRA. Please help me understand with a example

Expert Alumni
Mar 3, 2025 4:03:19 PM

Roth IRA contributions are not deductible- the contributions are "post tax" so you do not pay tax when you take that amount out later (No tax on the basis (what you put in) or the earnings).  Compared to a traditional IRA- if you deduct it now to save taxes today, later when you take it out it is all taxed.  If you made nondeductible traditional IRA contributions, you would have basis which is not taxed when you take the money out but you would still have to pay tax on the earnings.  

 

EXAMPLE: If you owe $1 tax on $10 taxable income, you would be able to contribute to a tradition IRA $10 and deduct it.  This would make your taxable income 0 so no tax owed.

With the backdoor Roth IRA, you do not claim the deduction and the money moves into the Roth account.  This all occurs in the same tax year.  People do the backdoor Roth to get the money into the Roth because if you have a certain income level, you are not eligible to contribute to the Roth.  

 

Mechanically, you could deduct the traditional IRA for 2024, then convert it in 2025- you would have to pay the tax on the entire conversion amount, but not until next year (this would be like a tax delay).    

@ramanibala 

New Member
Mar 3, 2025 4:07:45 PM

Thanks. That helps.

Ramani