Episode Player

#609 Should You Contribute to Your Traditional IRA, or Go Roth Instead?

Main Street Business

Chapters
0:00
Opening Banter And Big Promise
1:01
Why Advisors Push Traditional IRAs
1:16
Traditional Vs Roth: Plain-English Basics
3:05
Early Access Rules That Favor Roth
3:58
Listener Question: Why So Pro-Roth
5:42
The Lower Bracket Myth In Retirement
8:49
Behavior Matters More Than Math
10:44
The Best Inheritance: Roth Accounts
13:08
Optionality And Strategic Investing
15:05
High Returns Make Roth A No-Brainer
17:15
A Balanced Bucket Strategy
18:12
Convert To Roth And Offset Taxes
22:40
Deadlines, Discipline, And Momentum
25:46
Automate Contributions And Backdoor Roth
28:42
Wrap-Up And Audience Invitation
Main Street Business
#609 Should You Contribute to Your Traditional IRA, or Go Roth Instead?
Feb 20, 2026
Mark J Kohler and Mat Sorensen

Should you take the tax deduction today… or build tax-free wealth for tomorrow? In this episode of the Main Street Business Podcast, Mark J. Kohler and Mat Sorensen break down the Roth vs. Traditional IRA debate and explain why the “lower tax bracket in retirement” argument doesn’t always hold up in the real world.

They walk through the math, the mindset, and the long-term strategy behind both options — including inheritance planning, self-directing for higher returns, tax rate uncertainty, flexibility in retirement, and why most entrepreneurs don’t actually earn less in retirement. You’ll also learn how the backdoor Roth IRA works for high-income earners and how to use creative tax strategies to offset Roth conversions.

If you’re rushing to make a last-minute IRA contribution before the tax deadline, this episode could change your decision. Make sure you understand the long-term consequences before chasing a short-term deduction!

You’ll learn:

  • The real difference between a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA — and why the math isn’t the whole story
  • Why the “you’ll be in a lower tax bracket in retirement” argument often fails for entrepreneurs and investors
  • How paying taxes on the seed vs. the harvest dramatically impacts long-term wealth
  • Why a Roth IRA can be the most powerful asset to leave to your kids
  • How high-income earners can legally use the backdoor Roth IRA strategy
  • When a Traditional IRA might still make sense — and how to use both strategically
  • How to create offsetting tax strategies to fund a Roth without increasing your tax burden
  • Why contributing early (not just before the deadline) can significantly increase long-term returns

Get a comprehensive tax consultation with one of our Main Street tax lawyers that can build a tax strategy plan with an affordable consultation that will leave you speechless!! 

Here’s the link - https://kkoslawyers.com/services/comprehensive-bus-tax-consult/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=description-link&utm_campaign=main-street-business-podcast&utm_content=msbp609-traditional-vs-roth-ira

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Work With Mat & Mark’s Law Firm
Get strategic legal guidance for your business, taxes, asset protection, and estate planning with KKOS Lawyers.
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Take Control of Your Retirement
Want to invest your IRA or 401(k) in assets you actually understand? Check out our self-directed trust company Directed IRA.
[Learn More About Directed IRA]

Free Resources

Mat Sorensen’s Optimal Order of Investing Guide
Learn how to prioritize where your money should go and build a smarter investing strategy.
[Download the Free Guide]

Mark J. Kohler’s 30-Point Tax Guide
Discover practical tax strategies and planning opportunities every business owner and investor should know.
[Download the Free Guide]

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