Kiplinger.com Community - powered by vBulletin Kiplinger.com
Starting Out Investing Your Money Spending Wisley Your Retirement
Kiplinger.com Channels




Go Back   Kiplinger.com Community > RETIREMENT
User Name
Password
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 10-16-2008, 01:54 PM   #1
TaxBoy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 4
IRA for Children - massive compunding?

Hello,

I have just read the book, Wealthy Child: Financial Success for the Children in Your Life from Amazon.com

The book had a lot of great and, I thought, smart ideas but I was curious about one aspect. Has anyone setup a Roth IRA for their child (someone under 18 years of age)?

Sorry for posting this twice as I put in the wrong palce the first time around.

Thank you.
TaxBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2008, 03:12 PM   #2
pochax
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 43
Don't you need earned income to start a Roth? I imagine only the 16 year old with a part-time fast food job or similar scenario would qualify and i doubt they make much to put into the Roth.....
pochax is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2008, 10:46 PM   #3
BlankenshipFP
Harold Hecuba Productions
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New Berlin, Illinois
Posts: 934
Pochax, you're right, you have to have earned income to contribute to a Roth IRA, but sometimes, depending upon the circumstances (like if there is a family business) a child can have an earned income and contribute to a Roth IRA. It has to be legitimate work to earn the money, but it can be done...
__________________
jb

IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (or in any attachment) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed in this communication (or in any attachment).
BlankenshipFP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2008, 09:20 AM   #4
domingo3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: various
Posts: 251
Talking

Kids can also earn money with a paper route, babysitting, lawn-mowing, etc. before they turn 16. From what I understand, you just need to keep accurate records.
When my kids get old enough, I plan to contribute to their Roths for them. ie They work and earn money for clothes, cell phone, whatever, and I contribute 100% of their income to a Roth in their name.
I'm also trying to come up with some kind of "matching" incentive to encourage them to save. Like if they put their money into a savings account rather than blow it every week, I'll contribute to that, too, to boost their savings for bigger goals. I haven't worked out details of how to approach that yet.

I've got plenty of time. My oldest is just 2. I'm already on the lookout for ways for her to earn some money - primarily so I can start a Roth for her, but I think it will be a while before she can have any legit earnings.


P.S. To TaxBoy, yes, I have heard of this. A friend of mine in had his parents set up an IRA for him when he turned 16, and contributed $2k per year (the limit at the time). A couple years out of college, he had a balance of about $30k; I only had about $8k in mine, and was jealous.
__________________
Standard Disclaimer
You didn't give me enough information to answer your question, so my answer might not be appropriate for you. In any case, don't take advice from me or anyone else on this board. It's not our life. It's not our money. You don't know who we are.

Last edited by domingo3 : 10-17-2008 at 09:26 AM.
domingo3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
401k and IRA? danimation RETIREMENT 16 03-03-2009 03:53 PM
California is headed for a massive real estate crash in the next 12 months anonymous Banke Home and Real Estate 79 09-19-2007 03:04 AM
More Than One IRA Affects Compunding? Hokulele RETIREMENT 14 05-25-2005 04:42 PM

SPONSORED LINKS
 
 
Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.