What Are Pretax Contributions to an IRA/401k?

Imagine reducing your next taxable income by as much as $7,000, simply by changing how a portion of your paycheck is allocated. 

Pretax contributions allow you to direct part of your earnings into a traditional IRA or 401k before income taxes are applied. This may reduce your taxable income today, and your savings can potentially grow tax-deferred until retirement.

So what exactly qualifies as a pretax contribution under IRS guidelines? Who’s eligible, and what are the official 2025 limits?

This guide covers the essentials in a way that’s clear and easy to understand. You’ll learn how pretax contributions could help with upfront tax savings while supporting your long-term retirement goals.

📌 Also Read: What Is An After-Tax 401k?

What Are Pretax Contributions?

Pretax contributions are amounts you contribute to retirement accounts before income taxes are calculated. These contributions are available only through IRS-approved retirement plans, which generally include:

✅ Traditional IRA: Contributions may be fully or partially deductible, depending on your filing status and modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). Earnings grow tax-deferred and are taxed upon withdrawal.

✅ 401k: Employees make elective deferrals through payroll, which are excluded from current taxable income. Employers may also provide matching or profit-sharing contributions.

✅ SIMPLE IRA: Designed for small businesses, this plan allows employees to make salary deferral contributions, while employers must either match contributions or make a nonelective deposit for all eligible workers.

✅ SEP IRA: Funded entirely by employers, SEP IRA contributions go into each employee’s traditional IRA and are limited to a percentage of compensation. These funds are immediately 100 percent vested.

How Pretax Dollars Flow

✅ Withholding: Your gross wages are reduced by the amount you choose to defer. This happens before your income taxes are calculated.

✅ Plan Funding: The withheld amount is deposited directly into your retirement account. Because it’s not counted as current income, you won’t pay taxes on it this year.

✅ Deferred Taxation: Contributions and any investment earnings typically grow tax-deferred. You’ll pay ordinary income tax when you withdraw the funds in retirement.

Benefits and Tax Implications

Pretax contributions may offer a range of tax-related advantages, both immediately and over the long term. Here’s how they can impact your taxes and overall retirement savings.

Immediate Tax Savings

✅ Reduced AGI: Pretax contributions typically lower your adjusted gross income (AGI). This may reduce your taxable income and potentially help you qualify for other tax benefits. However, deductibility for traditional IRA contributions depends on your income and filing status.

✅ Excluded from W-2 Income: When you make elective deferrals to a 401k, that amount isn’t included in your taxable wages for the year. This means your annual tax calculation is based on a smaller reported income.

Taxation on Withdrawal

When you withdraw funds, both your pretax contributions and any investment earnings are taxed as ordinary income. If you take money out before age 59½, you may owe both income tax and a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty, unless you qualify for an exception.

Starting at your required beginning date, which is generally April 1 after the year you turn age 73, you must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) each year. Failing to take an RMD may result in significant IRS penalties.

Employer Matching and Vesting

Some employers may match a portion of your pretax 401k contributions, which can help grow your savings faster. Your elective deferrals are immediately 100 percent vested, meaning you own them outright from day one.

However, employer contributions—whether matching or profit-sharing—may follow a vesting schedule. For instance, you might be 20 percent vested after two years, with ownership gradually increasing over time until you’re fully vested.

Contribution Limits, Eligibility & Rules

Below are the official 2025 contribution limits, along with key income rules and deadlines to keep in mind.

2025 Annual Limits

401k Elective Deferrals

✅ Under age 50: Up to $23,500

✅ Age 50 to 59: Add a standard $7,500 catch-up, for a total of $31,000

✅ Age 60 to 63: Eligible for a “super” catch-up of $11,250 under SECURE 2.0, increasing the limit to $34,750

IRA Contributions

✅ Under age 50: Up to $7,000

✅ Age 50 and older: Add a $1,000 catch-up, for a total of $8,000

📝 Note: These are the maximum limits. Your actual contribution may depend on your income, retirement plan type, and employment structure.

📌 Also Read: IRS | 401(k) limit increases to $23,500 for 2025, IRA limit remains $7,000

Income Phase-Outs and Deduction Rules

Your ability to deduct traditional IRA contributions depends on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) and whether you or your spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan.

Traditional IRA Deduction Phase-Out Ranges for 2025:

✅ Single or Head of Household: $79,000 to $89,000

✅ Married Filing Jointly (participant): $126,000 to $146,000

✅ Married Filing Jointly (non-participant spouse): $236,000 to $246,000

✅ Married Filing Separately: $0 to $10,000

Roth IRA Contribution Phase-Out Ranges for 2025:

✅ Single or Head of Household: $150,000 to $165,000

✅ Married Filing Jointly: $236,000 to $246,000

✅ Married Filing Separately: $0 to $10,000

📝 Note: If your income falls within a phase-out range, you may still make a partial contribution or deduction. Roth IRA eligibility is entirely income-based.

Deadlines and Catch-Up Contribution Rules

Knowing the correct timing for contributions is just as important as the limits themselves. It is especially relevant if you are eligible to make catch-up contributions.

✅ IRA contributions for the 2025 tax year can be made until April 15, 2026, which is the standard tax filing deadline if you are not filing for an extension.

✅ 401k elective deferrals must be made through payroll and deposited by December 31, 2025, in accordance with your plan’s rules.

✅ Catch-up contributions, including the higher “super” limit allowed under SECURE 2.0, may apply automatically based on your age, but you still need to follow your plan’s election procedures.

📝 Note: Catch-up eligibility is based on your age by the end of the calendar year. If you turn 50, 60, or 64 in 2025, double-check with your plan provider to confirm your options.

Pretax vs. Roth — Which is Better?

Deciding between pretax (traditional) and Roth contributions depends on several factors, including your current tax bracket, retirement timeline, and plan rules. Below are the key differences to help you compare both options clearly.

Current and Future Tax Rates

Pretax contributions reduce your taxable income today and may be ideal if you’re currently in a higher tax bracket. You’ll pay taxes later when you take distributions in retirement.

Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars. You pay taxes now, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, which may help if you expect to be in a similar or higher bracket in the future.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

Traditional accounts come with required minimum distributions, starting at age 73, which means you must begin taking taxable withdrawals, even if you don’t need the funds.

Roth IRAs do not require RMDs during the original owner’s lifetime. This gives you more flexibility and control over your retirement withdrawals.

Eligibility and Income Limits

Most people with earned income are eligible to make pretax contributions to a 401k or traditional IRA, although traditional IRA deductions may phase out at certain income levels.

Roth IRAs, on the other hand, have income-based limits that restrict contributions for higher earners. However, Roth 401k plans do not have income restrictions.

Employer Matching

If your employer offers a match, that money always goes into a pretax 401k account, even if you contribute to a Roth 401k. As a result, you will still receive some tax-deferred growth, regardless of which contribution type you choose.

Estate Planning and Flexibility

Roth accounts may offer potential estate planning advantages, since they can typically pass to heirs income tax-free. However, most non-spouse beneficiaries are required to fully withdraw the balance within 10 years, based on current rules under the SECURE Act.

📝 Tip: Compare your current and future tax brackets, RMD rules, income limits, and estate planning goals to help decide between pretax and Roth contributions. In many cases, a mix of both may offer the right balance if your plan allows it.

Final Thoughts on Pretax Contributions

Pretax contributions may offer valuable tax advantages, both upfront and over time. Whether you’re contributing to a traditional IRA, 401k, SEP-IRA, or SIMPLE IRA, knowing the 2025 limits, deduction rules, and how these choices interact with Roth options can help you make more informed decisions.

The right approach often depends on your income, age, employer plan, and long-term goals. To get started, review your employer’s plan options or refer to IRS Publication 590-A for official guidance on eligibility and contribution details.

📌 Want to keep learning? Explore our other articles for more tips on building a stronger retirement strategy:

---

Disclaimer:

The Carry Learning Center is operated by The Vibes Company Inc. (“Vibes”) and contains generalized educational content about personal finance topics. While Vibes provides educational content and technology services, all investment advisory services discussed on this website are provided exclusively through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Carry Advisors LLC (“Carry Advisors”), an SEC registered investment adviser. The information contained on the Carry Learning Center should not be construed as personalized investment advice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security or engage in a particular investment, accounting, tax or legal strategy. Vibes is not providing tax, legal, accounting, or investment advice. You should consult with qualified tax, legal, accounting, and investment professionals regarding your specific situation.

The accounts, strategies and/or investments discussed in this material may not be suitable for all investors. All investments involve the risk of loss, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment growth or profit is never a guarantee. All statements and opinions included on the Carry Learning Center are intended to be current as of the date of publication but are subject to change without notice.

To access investment advisory services through Carry Advisors, you must be a client of Vibes on an eligible membership plan. For more information about Carry Advisors’ investment advisory services, please see our Form ADV Part 2A brochure and Form CRS or through the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.