DECIDING WHICH ONLINE BROKERAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOU:
ROTH IRA VS. TRADITIONAL IRA COMPARISON CHART:
| Features | Traditional IRA | Roth IRA |
| Who can contribute? | You can contribute if you (or your spouse if filing jointly) have taxable compensation but not after you are age 70½ or older. | You can contribute at any age if you (or your spouse if filing jointly) have taxable compensation and your modified adjusted gross income is below certain amounts (see 2019 and 2020 limits). |
| Are my contributions deductible? | You can deduct your contributions if you qualify. | Your contributions aren’t deductible. |
| How much can I contribute? | The most you can contribute to all of your traditional and Roth IRAs is the smaller of:
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| What is the deadline to make contributions? | Your tax return efiling deadline (not including extensions). For example, you have until April 15, 2020, to make your 2019 contribution. | |
| When can I withdraw money? | You can withdraw money anytime. | |
| Do I have to take required minimum distributions? | You must start taking distributions by April 1 following the year in which you turn age 70½ and by December 31 of later years. | Not required if you are the original owner. |
| Are my withdrawals and distributions taxable? | Any deductible contributions and earnings you withdraw or that are distributed from your traditional IRA are taxable. Also, if you are under age 59 ½ you may have to pay an additional 10% tax for early withdrawals unless you qualify for an exception. | None if it’s a qualified distribution (or a withdrawal that is a qualified distribution). Otherwise, part of the distribution or withdrawal may be taxable. If you are under age 59 ½, you may also have to pay an additional 10% tax for early withdrawals unless you qualify for an exception. |