SEP IRA Contribution Calculator for Self Employed Persons

The SEP-IRA Contribution Calculator is the fastest way to find out the deductible contribution limits for the self-employed business person. As you already know a simplified employee pension (SEP) IRA is a retirement savings plan established by employers for employees who also apply to themselves. This simple employee pension contribution calculator is based on IRS worksheet for computing maximum deductible contribution for self-employed persons.

What are the rules for SEP IRAs?

Some of the important rules for SEP IRA are :

1. Internal Revenue Code Sections 402(h) and 415 provides that employer can not make contributions to an employee’s SEP-IRA more than the lesser of
   • $57,000 for 2020;( $56,000 for 2019 and $55,000 for 2018) or
   • 25% of the employee’s compensation. The amount of compensation taken into account is also limited ($285,000 in 2020;( $280,000 in 2019 and $275,000 in 2018).
2. However, if the SEP plan document specifies lower contribution limits, then the lower limits will be applied.
3. Employer contribution percentage (% )must be equal to all eligible employees.
4. Employee elective deferrals and catch-up contributions are not permitted in SEP plans. Only employer contributions are allowed.
5. The withdrawals from SEP IRAs in retirement are taxed as ordinary income. 
6. SEP-IRA allows sole proprietors getting wages may also make a SEP contribution. The total contribution is limited to 25% of wages (or profits) minus the SEP contribution. One should note that if the self-employed person also draws a salary, his contribution to SEP should be same as that of employees.

What are the SEP-IRA contribution limit?

The contributions limit, other than catch-up contributions, for both employee and employer in a defined contribution plan, is $57,000 for 2020 and $56,000 for the year 2019. This is computed by applying the maximum contribution at 20% of the maximum compensation level which is set at $285,000 for 2020 whereas it was $280,000 for the year 2019.

If the self-employed person does not draw salary and desires to contribute to SEP-IRA, the contribution limits are different from employees. Then, a special rule is required to calculate retirement plan contributions. For example, a self-employed person may decide to contribute 10% of each employee’s compensation to a SEP plan. But, this formula does not work for his (employer) own contributions. The sep-ira calculator given below is for that purpose only

SEP IRA Contribution Calculator

What is a elective deferral limit ?

Elective Deferrals plans are one in which the contribution made by the employee are not included as taxable income. In other words, which in a way is a tax deduction. … The total amount deposited shows on your W2, box 12 and is not included in W2 box 1, as taxable wages. For this reason, a limit up to which one elect deferral. The maximum limit set for elective deferral is $19,500 for 2020. For 2019, it was $19,000.

What is catch up contribution limit?

The normal limit for elective deferral is for participant ageing less than 50 less. But , those who are of 50 years or more can contribute additionally. That additional amount is called the catch–up contribution.  The catch-up contribution limitation for defined contribution plans other than SIMPLE plans is $6,500 for 2020. The catch-up contribution limitation for SIMPLE plans is $3,000 for 2019 and 2020.A participant’s catch-up contributions for a year can’t exceed the lesser of the catch-up contribution limit OR the excess of the participant’s compensation over the elective deferrals that aren’t catch-up contributions.

What are the SEP IRA contribution deadline?

The SEP-IRA rules fix a deadline for making contributions for a given tax year. The SEP-IRA deadline for contribution is the same for filing a tax return due date i.e April 15. Another deadline for SEP-IRA is about taking the distribution. As per rule, like with traditional, one must begin taking distributions when one enters the age of 70-1/2. You can start earlier, without penalties, beginning at age 59-1/2.

Is there an advantage of SEP-IRA over Traditional or Roth?

Yes, there are some advantages of setting up SEP IRA over traditional IRA or Roth IRA.

1. The big advantage of the SEP-IRA over Traditional and Roth IRA accounts is that in case of SEP -IRA, a very wide choice of investments like mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are available.
2. The business owner can claim a tax deduction for sep-ira contributions to an individual account.
3. You also have the opportunity to contribute nearly 10 times more to a SEP IRA than a Traditional IRA
4. There are other benefits to the employee as well. They can tax defer interest, dividends, employer contributions and other investment till withdrawal at the time of retirement.

What is the eligibility for employees opening a SEP IRA account?

The employees are eligible for a SEP IRA if they:

• Are older than 21
• Have worked for the business in at least three of the five years preceding the year in which the IRA contribution is made
• Have received $600 or more in compensation from the business in 2020

However, the IRS states that all eligible employees must participate in the SEP, including part-time and seasonal workers and employees who die, quit, or get laid off or fired during the year.