Carry Learning Center

Having a side business can open the door to extra retirement savings, especially if you are already participating in a 401k through your day job. At first glance, it may look like you are doubling your retirement benefits. But the IRS has contribution limits that apply across both plans, and coordinating them takes careful planning. You [...]

If you added money to an IRA or moved funds between retirement accounts, Form 5498 is the official record of those actions. Your IRA custodian files this form directly to the IRS and also sends you with a copy. It shows your total contributions, any rollovers or Roth conversions, the account’s year-end fair market value, [...]

Roth conversions can offer long-term tax advantages, but they come with short-term consequences you need to plan for. When you move money from a traditional IRA or 401k into a Roth account, the conversion is taxable in the year it happens. Once completed, you can’t undo it. The 2025 tax year brings extra pressure to get [...]

It’s easy to forget about Form 8606 until the IRS sends a surprise tax bill.  If you’ve ever added after-tax money to a traditional IRA or used the backdoor Roth strategy, this simple but important form helps you avoid being taxed twice on the same dollars. Form 8606 tells the IRS which portion of your IRA contributions [...]

If you have a 403b or 401a from a previous job, you might be thinking about what to do with it next. Maybe you’re changing employers or trying to simplify multiple retirement accounts. Either way, a rollover can help keep your savings tax-deferred and on track toward long-term goals. This guide walks through the eligibility rules, [...]

Earning both W-2 and 1099 income opens the door to extra retirement contributions — but it also adds complexity. If you already have a 401k through your employer and want to set up a Solo 401k for your side business, the IRS has strict coordination rules you must follow. It’s easy to make honest mistakes that [...]

Earning 1099 income puts you in control of your work and your financial future. Unlike traditional employees, independent contractors are responsible for setting up their own retirement plan, which can impact both long-term savings and current tax liability.  The good news is there are tax-advantaged plans designed specifically for self-employed individuals. Each one comes with its [...]

Most S-Corp owners are surprised to learn that not all business income is treated equally when it comes to retirement savings. Only W-2 wages count toward contribution limits, while shareholder distributions are excluded — and that single rule can determine how much you can set aside each year. This affects which retirement plan may be [...]

Running your own business or side gig? You might want to consider a retirement plan made for people like you.  A Solo 401k could be a strong option. It’s built for self-employed individuals, with higher contribution limits and generally more flexibility than regular retirement accounts. In this guide, we’re looking at two different Solo 401k plan providers: [...]