Self-Employment Retirement: Solo 401(k) vs SEP-IRA vs IRA
How solo founders and self-employed professionals choose between Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA, and IRA in 2026. Contribution limits, deadlines, stacking strategies.
Mainstream personal finance is written for W-2 employees. We cover what actually matters when you run your own thing: 1099 income, owner draws, self-employment tax, business credit, irregular cash flow, and the financial mechanics most people miss.
Q3 estimated tax due September 15 — here is the simplified calculation method
Solo 401(k) contribution timing: why September matters more than December
SBLOC rates dropped to 5.85%: when it beats your business line of credit
How solo founders and self-employed professionals choose between Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA, and IRA in 2026. Contribution limits, deadlines, stacking strategies.
Safe-harbor rules, payment deadlines, calculation methods, and cash flow strategies that prevent April surprises.
The decision framework for solo founders choosing a business structure. Break-even calculation, reasonable salary, and transition timing.
How to build business credit, access SBA loans, and decide between SBA and SBLOC for working capital and growth.
Three categories of money decisions mainstream personal finance overlooks.
Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA, S-corp vs LLC, quarterly estimated taxes, QBI deduction. The mechanics that mainstream personal finance skips.
Smoothing irregular income, paying yourself the right way, when to use a business credit line vs SBLOC, emergency fund sizing for self-employed.
Asset allocation with concentrated business holdings, retirement plans for solo operators, exit strategy tax planning, QSBS for early-stage founders.