Calculations for an S corporation, C corporation or an LLC taxed as a corporation
The annual Solo 401k contribution consists of a salary deferral contribution and a profit sharing contribution. The total allowable contribution adds these 2 parts together to get to the maximum Solo 401k contribution limit. The 2022 Solo 401k contribution limit is $61,000 and $67,500 if age 50 or older.
Calculations for an S corporation and C corporation are based on the W-2 salary that is paid to the business owner. For example, S corporation K-1 distributions (corporate profits) are not included when making the contribution limit calculation. Also, the calculation is only based on W-2 wages for an LLC which pays W-2 wages to the business owner.
Salary Deferral Contribution
In 2022, 100% of W-2 wages up to the maximum of $20,500 and $27,000 if age 50 or older can be contributed to a Solo 401k.
Profit Sharing Contribution
A profit sharing contribution up to 25% of W-2 earnings can be contributed into a Solo 401k.
- EXAMPLE 1
A business owner is age 35 and the owner of a subchapter S corporation with $50,000 of W-2 earnings in 2022. In this example, the business owner could contribute $20,500 of salary deferrals + $12,500 profit sharing contribution (25% X $50,000) = $33,000 Total Solo 401k contribution.
EXAMPLE 2
A business owner is age 35 and the owner of a subchapter S corporation with $100,000 of W-2 earnings in 2022. In this example, the business owner could contribute $20,500 of salary deferrals + $25,000 profit sharing contribution (25% X $100,000) = $45,500 Total Solo 401k
- EXAMPLE 3
A business owner is age 50 and the owner of a subchapter S corporation with $50,000 of W-2 earnings in 2022. In this example, the business owner could contribute $27,000 of salary deferrals + $12,500 profit sharing contribution (25% X $50,000) = $39,500 Total Solo 401k contribution.
- EXAMPLE 4
A business owner is age 50 and the owner of a subchapter S corporation with $100,000 of W-2 earnings in 2022. In this example, the business owner could contribute $27,000 of salary deferrals + $25,000 profit sharing contribution (25% X $100,000) = $52,000 Total Solo 401k contribution.
In the above examples, salary deferral contributions are 100% tax deductible and reduce taxable W-2 wages and profit sharing contributions are generally tax deductible as a business expense.
Is there a deadline to make salary deferrals into the Solo 401k?
Salary deferrals must be made into your Solo 401k within 15 days of the period in which you are paying yourself. For example, 401k salary deferral contributions made at the end of a calendar year on December 31 need to be deposited into the Solo 401k by January 15 at the latest.
When must profit sharing contributions be made into the Solo 401k?
The deadline to fund the profit sharing contribution is the corporate tax filing deadline March 15th. If an extension was filed then the deadline is September 15th.
Solo 401k Calculator
To determine the annual retirement contribution you could make based on your income use the Solo 401k Calculator.
Learn more about the benefits of the Solo 401k
- Solo 401k – Information, Rules and Frequently Asked Questions about the Solo 401k.
- Solo 401k Eligibility – Learn about the eligibility rules and find out who is eligible and who is ineligible to establish a Solo 401k plan.
- Solo 401k Loan – A 401k loan up 50% of the total value of the 401k up to a maximum loan of $50,000 is permitted with a Solo 401k plan.
- Solo Roth 401k – There is an option to make Roth 401k contributions with the salary deferral portion of the Solo 401k. Contributions into a Roth 401k are not tax deductible, but withdrawals are tax free after age 59 ½.
Solo 401k Rollover – You can rollover your 401k, 403b, 457, TSP and Defined Benefit Plan from a previous employer. You can also rollover a Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, Rollover IRA, SIMPLE IRA and Keogh plan.
- Solo 401k Providers – Learn about the 3 main types of Solo 401k providers and the investment options available with each Solo 401k provider.
- Self Employed Retirement Plan Comparison – Compare the Solo 401k, SEP IRA, Defined Benefit Plan and Simple IRA.