For Self-Employed Creators
Your income is extraordinary.
Your tax strategy should be too.
Most creators and influencers have never heard of the investment accounts available to them as self-employed earners. These accounts do not just build wealth; they can help reduce your taxable income every single year.
Step Zero
Business structure is the gatekeeper.
How you get paid determines what accounts you can access. Most creators already qualify for the most powerful retirement accounts available to any American.
Account One
- +Self-employment income required
- +EIN or SSN accepted, no formal entity needed
- +Sole prop, LLC, and S-Corp all qualify
- !If you have employees, you must contribute the same percentage for them
- xNo Roth option, pre-tax contributions only
- xNo employee salary deferral component
Assumes 24% marginal federal rate. Actual savings vary. Not personalized tax advice. Consult a CPA.
Creators earning $80K to $300K or more per year who want maximum flexibility without payroll complexity. If your income varies wildly but you want to move serious money into a tax-advantaged account in strong years, this can be a starting point.
Account Two
- +Self-employment income required
- +No full-time employees other than a spouse
- +Works for sole props, LLCs, and S-Corps
- +EIN required, free to obtain at IRS.gov
- !Plan must be established by December 31
- !Form 5500-EZ required once balance exceeds $250K
- xCannot have full-time W-2 employees outside a spouse
Blended 27% effective rate. Does not account for self-employment tax deduction or state taxes. Consult a CPA.
Creators earning $60K to $500K or more who want maximum contribution potential with both pre-tax and Roth flexibility. The employee deferral means you can put in $24,500 even when profit margins are slim. If you are not using a Solo 401(k) yet, this is likely your single biggest missed tax opportunity.
Account Three
- +Earned income required, self-employment income qualifies
- +Works for any business structure
- +Can contribute alongside a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k)
- +No required minimum distributions, ever
- !Phase-out: $153K to $168K single, $242K to $252K married filing jointly
- !Over the income limit? Backdoor Roth strategy may still apply
- xShares the $7K limit with Traditional IRA
Hypothetical illustration only. Not a guarantee of performance.
Every creator who qualifies should consider a Roth IRA. Especially powerful for creators early in their career who expect income and taxes to rise. At $7,500 per year it is not the biggest account, but every dollar of growth is protected forever. Think of it as the foundation.
Account Four
- +Earned income required
- +No income limit to contribute, only deductibility is limited
- +Works for any business structure
- !Deductibility phases out $81K to $91K if a workplace plan exists
- !Shares $7K limit with Roth IRA
- xRMDs required at age 73
- xNon-deductible contributions create complexity via the pro-rata rule
If contributions are non-deductible, a Roth IRA is almost always the better choice. Consult a CPA.
Creators with no other retirement plan who want a simple deductible contribution, or creators executing a Backdoor Roth with a CPA. If choosing between Roth and Traditional in your 20s or 30s, the Roth is almost always the better long-term decision.
Quick Reference
All four accounts at a glance.
2026 limits, tax treatment, and best fit compared side by side.
| Account | 2026 Limit | Tax In | Tax Out | Income Limit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEP IRA | $72,000 or 25% net self-employment | Pre-Tax | Taxable | None | High earners wanting flexibility |
| Solo 401(k) | $72,000 combined | Pre-Tax or Roth | Taxable or Tax-Free | None | Maximum contribution power |
| Roth IRA | $7,500 ($8,600 if 50+) | After-Tax | Tax-Free | $153K to $168K | Every qualifying creator |
| Traditional IRA | $7,500 ($8,600 if 50+) | Pre-Tax* | Taxable | Deductibility varies | Supplemental or Backdoor Roth |
The account is the vehicle. The strategy is the engine.
An account sitting in cash is not investing. Opening the right account is step one. What you put inside it, how it is built, when it rebalances, and how it responds to volatility is where the real work happens. Not all portfolios are built the same. Cookie-cutter allocations may not capture the upside your income deserves.
Ready to build your strategy?
Understanding your options costs nothing. You only pay if we manage your strategy together.
Fiduciary · Licensed