Maximizing Retirement Plan Contributions for Small Businesses

Along with making money with their business, most small business owners also try to minimize income taxes and grow their wealth. Qualified retirement plans present an excellent opportunity to accomplish these last two objectives. While the rules for retirement plans can be confusing and you may want to consult qualified tax and investment advisors, here are some guidelines that can prepare you for those conversations.

Single employee businesses

This article focuses on the opportunities for sole proprietors and companies that employ only the owner (and a spouse). Individuals such as real estate brokers, consultants, outside board members, sole professional practitioners and other self-employed individuals can have a great deal of flexibility in choosing a plan that best fits their goals. Businesses that have other employees must cover those employees in most cases and should seek guidance for a more detailed explanation of the options.

SEP-IRA

The SEP-IRA is probably the easiest plan to have.

The plan can be established and funded any time up to the due date or extended due date of your tax return.

The employer can contribute up to 25% of your W-2 or self-employment income to a maximum of $56,000 (2019).

Contributions are deducted from the employer's current taxable income.

SIMPLE-IRA

These plans are relatively easy to have and are generally more attractive than SEP-IRAs if your income is less than about $40,000.

Generally, the plan must be established by October to provide tax deductions for the current year.

For 2019, employees can defer up to $13,000 of wages into the plan and employers can match the employee contribution up to 3% of the employee's wages. Those ages 50 and over can contribute an additional $3,000 for 2019.

The employee's deferral reduces their taxable wages and the employer contributions are deducted from their current taxable income.

The NEW One Person 401(k) Plan

Large companies have been using 401(k) plans for many years. Recent changes have resulted in these attractive plans now being attractive to single employee businesses. These plans are more complicated than SEP-IRAs and SIMPLE-IRAs, but offer higher contribution limits and more flexibility.

The plan must be established before year-end and contributions must be made by the due date or extended due date of your tax return.
For 2019, employees may defer up to $19,000 of their wages into the plan. In addition, the employer can contribute up to 25% of the employee's income (maximum income considered is $280,000 for 2019). There is also an overall limit of $56,000 for employee and employer contributions. The rules also provide for an additional $6,000 "catch-up" contribution for 2019.
401(k) plans also enable employees to borrow from their plan subject to certain restrictions and repayment schedules.

2019 Maximum Deductible Contributions for Incorporated Businesses

Plan type	Calculation method and source of funds	W-2 Income
Plan type	Calculation method and source of funds	$15,000	$50,000	$100,000	$150,000
SEP-IRA	25% of income (employer)	$3,750	$12,500	$25,000	$37,500
Simple IRA - under age 50	$13,000 (employee) plus 3% of income (employer)	$13,000	$14,500	$16,000	$17,500
Simple IRA - over age 50	$13,000 (employee) plus 3% of income (employer) plus $3,000 catch up (employee)	$16,000	$17,500	$19,000	$20,500
One person 401k under age 50	$19,000 (employee) plus 25% of income (employer)	$15,000 (limited to income)	$31,500	$44,000	$56,000 (overall limit)
One person 401k over age 50	$19,000 (employee) plus 25% of income (employer) plus $6,000 catch up (employee)	$15,000 (limited to income)	$37,500	$50,000	$62,000 (overall limit plus catch up)

Summary

Very small business owners and sole proprietors have options and flexibility to reduce taxes and accumulate wealth through the use of qualified retirement plans. Be sure to get the qualified advice you need when making this important decision.

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