topic Does a pre-tax contribution to an employer sponsored 401K count as a contribution to a traditional IRA? in Retirement tax questions

Does a pre-tax contribution to an employer sponsored 401K count as a contribution to a traditional IRA?

djr1985 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 06:33:25 GMT

Re: Does a pre-tax contribution to an employer sponsored 401K count as a contribution to a tradit...

MayaD — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 18:10:09 GMT

No, a pre-tax contribution to a 401(k) is not the same as a contribution to a traditional IRA. An IRA is a retirement savings option available to anyone with earned income (or whose spouse has earned income).

A 401k plan is an employer-sponsored retirement plan where you make contributions through salary deferrals

Traditional IRAs

401(k) plans

Re: Does a pre-tax contribution to an employer sponsored 401K count as a contribution to a traditional IRA?

VolvoGirl — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 18:29:31 GMT

No. A 401k is not an IRA. Only enter it from your W2. It should be in box 12 code D.