The Optometrist's Guide to Roth IRA and How to do a Backdoor Roth

Chapter 2B: How to do a Backdoor Roth with Fidelity | Step by Step Instructions

Update for 2024 Tax Laws: 

In this chapter, we will show you a step-by-step guide (with screenshots) on how to do a Backdoor Roth for new investors. We will be using Fidelity as an example, but other major brokerages will have similar steps.


Before we get started, here are 4 requirements before attempting to do a backdoor Roth IRA: 

  • (1) You CANNOT have any tax-deferred money in any existing IRAs such as a traditional, SEP or SIMPLE

    If you do, you need a strategy to move that money to a Roth-IRA (W2)  or solo 401K (1099/S-Corp) via IRA rollover and be aware that there might be a tax bill due on the conversion.

  • (2) Set up 2 Separate Accounts: Trad-IRA | Roth IRA

    We will use the same two accounts to do the backdoor Roth conversion each year. So keep both accounts open! 

  • (3) Have the full amount $6,500 (for 2023 Limit) to fund for the 2023 Contribution first, then $7,000 for 2024

    We recommend doing the full $6,500 in one step for the previous year first (2023) if you haven't done so.

    Then If you have another $7,000 to contribute, then you can make a 2024 contribution as well, but again you have until 4/15/2025 the following year to do so.

    Note: During 2024, you can do $583 each month into a trad-IRA ($7,000 total) and select the standard "money market" fund BUT DO NOT INVEST ANYTHING until it is fully converted into the backdoor Roth IRA. You might get a few $1-2 in gains but IRS will round down to $7,000 end of the year. 

  • (4) Repeat for your spouse (if applicable)

    You can contribute another $6,500 & $7,000 for your non-working spouse via Backdoor Roth IRA as well for 2023 and 2024.

Step 1: Open up an account with Fidelity

If you are new to Fidelity, it is pretty straight forward, so we won’t go through all the steps. Again, make sure you open BOTH Trad-IRA and Roth IRA accounts. 

Step 2: Contribute $6,000 to your Traditional IRA First

Once you open both your Trad + Roth IRA accounts, go into your Trad IRA FIRST, you should automatically have a Fidelity Federal Money Market Fund (Settlement Fund). This is basically cash, and where we can use to hold any money for transactions.


Then go to TRANSFER (TOP MENU) to Contribute to the Trad-IRA account for 2024

 

Next, select where the Money is COMING FROM? In this case, we are going to transfer it from a personal checking account at First Republic Bank. You can transfer it from other Fidelity accounts as well.


Then tell Fidelity where your money is GOING TO for your 2024 Contribution (this amount would be $7,000), and it will automatically be placed in your Federal Money Market.

 

Finally, you will click Accept and get a Confirmation Statement

Step 3: Wait 3-7 days before making the Roth Conversion

It usually takes a day or two for the $7,000 to transfer from your Checking account to your Vanguard Trad IRA. It might take up to 6+ days for your money to settle in your Trad IRA 


Then wait another 3-7 days before making the conversation to Roth IRA. Why?


  • Step Transaction Doctrine: Some people believe that  it is best to wait to do nothing from 1-7 days, this will allow the IRS to “bless” the backdoor Roth convert.
  • But In 2018, Congress officially blessed the step of the Backdoor Roth IRA under current law, so many people convert it the next day without any IRS red flags popping up.

Step 4: Convert your $7,000 to a Roth IRA via Backdoor

  • (1) Once your $7,000 Settles in your Trad-IRA (usually takes 5-6 days)

  • (2) Go to the top Menu  "TRANSFER"

  • (3) Within your Trad-IRA account, select "Transfer to Roth IRA", once your $7,000 has settled in your available balance

  • (4) Tax Withholding Information : Select "I understand that I'll likely have to pay taxes later" 
    • You will be given some information that the conversion is a taxable event that cannot be reversed. Well this isn’t exactly correct, because the final net contribution is a non-deductible $7,000 contribution.
    • For 2020, there is a new tax reform that eliminates the ability to re-characterize (or undo) Roth Conversions. 

Part 1:  Choose the account (Trad IRA)  to convert.  Make sure you TRANSFER "Convert" ALL of the account

  • Leave this Trad-IRA account open so we can use it for next year, then hit CONTINUE 

Part 2 | Review and Submit

Step 5: Select your investment funds within your Roth IRA

Remember to buy your funds once you have the $6,500 in the money market. BUY YOUR INVESTMENT FUNDS. Think of your Roth IRA as an additional retirement accounts, so choose your investments accordingly.

Financial Reminder

"Please remember that once you convert money market fund (basically cash) from your Trad IRA to Roth IRA, you actually have to chose + BUY the Index Funds ETF like a Vanguard Total Stock Index (VTI) for it to grow within your Fidelity Brokerage account. It is surprisingly too commonplace to see many optometrists who are shocked why their Roth IRA return 0% for the last  5 years because they forgot to select the investments" 

Click to read “The Optometrist’s Guide to Investing 101”

Step 6: Repeat for your Spouse (if applicable)

If you are married and file jointly, then your spouse can also do a backdoor Roth for an additional $7,000 even if he or she doesn't have an earned income.

Step 7: Fill out Form 86060 in your 1050 during your tax season

Here is what your IRS form 8606 should look like, but if you want additional instructions from IRS, find out more here.

*Note: This is example of 2023, but your number should be $7,000

TurboTax user:  Check out the Finance Buff’s Direction on TurboTax or Check out Youtube Step-by-step direction 

Step 8: Repeat every year before April 15 (Tax Deadline)

I usually like to do my Roth IRA backdoor every year around January 2024. I do the full $7,000 amount on the same month of every year. Remember this will go into your Money Market Fund, so you will have plenty of time to choose your investments. If you forgot to do it for 2023, you have until 4/15/2024 to convert $6,500 for 2023


I recommend selecting your investment funds as soon as possible, so your money can start working sooner.

DatBuiOD

DatBuiOD

Dr. Bui is an optometrist at the Apple Wellness Center in the heart of Silicon Valley. He has a deep passion for ocular disease and healthcare technology. He started his career with $220,000 of student debt and was able to finish this massive debt in 5 years using budgeting and personal finance strategies, along with aggressive investing. He is a big advocate for passive index funding with a small portfolio toward individual technology stocks.

Lastly, he wants to help all new doctors and high-earning professionals navigate toward wealth and financial independence.

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