I own my own company. I am maxing out my roth 401k with a match of 4%. Can hire my wife and pay her just enough to max out another roth 401k?
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You should talk to your accountant. Not the right subject for internet advice. However, it sounds reasonable provided adherence with plan rules.– Pete B.Sep 5, 2017 at 11:37
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4She probably has to actually work for her pay and you can't just pay her for nothing. I asked a similar question not too long ago: money.stackexchange.com/questions/81311/…– minouSep 5, 2017 at 11:50
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5How many employees do you have? Do you know that a solo 401 has a limit far higher than $18K?– JTP - Apologise to Monica ♦Sep 5, 2017 at 12:24
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2 Answers
I don't know the real answer to your question, but assuming she is homemaker or unemployed, you can open a Spousal IRA for her with the same contribution limits, e.g. $5,500 in 2017. This would be a lot easier than possibly committing tax fraud. I was able to do this for my wife a few years ago with an online investment company.
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2Just a guess, but it seems likely that OP makes too much money for a spousal Roth IRA, or to deduct the traditional IRA.– TTTSep 6, 2017 at 2:32
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I did not know there was a limit. It seems to be $186K for 2017; a problem I have not been blessed with. Sep 6, 2017 at 10:23
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@AaronD.Marasco - at that level, no IRA, AMT kicks in, no Rental Real Estate deductions for passive investors. It's a nightmare. Sep 6, 2017 at 14:51
Legitimate periodicals have written over the years how business owners can shift income to family members. To a spouse to do exactly what you are looking for, and to children, whose earned income is taxed at their rate.
As long as the work is documented and reasonable, e.g. I couldn't pay my 10 year old $50/hr to help file, your approach is sound.
answered Sep 6, 2017 at 2:04
JTP - Apologise to Monica♦JTP - Apologise to Monica
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