Can I Open a Custodial Roth IRA for a Child?

Roth IRAs for kids provide an ideal investment account for their situation, because children have decades for their contributions to realize tax free growth.

The IRS only has one stipulation for an individual to contribute to an IRA: you need to have earned income. That doesn’t mean money received as financial gifts for babies and kids, nor from money you earn from chores, mind you.

What is an IRA?

These types of accounts go by the name “custodial account” or guardian accounts because the custodian makes decisions on behalf of the beneficiary. In this case, a minor child.

What is a Custodial Account?

→ There’s no age limit. If your baby lands a modeling gig and earns income, that money can go into a Roth IRA for kids. The hurdle to opening this type of account isn’t about age, rather, it’s income.

What is a Custodial Roth IRA and What are the Rules?

→ The child must have earned income. If your kid has earned income, they can open a custodial Roth IRA for kids. Be careful what qualifies as “earned income” however. That doesn’t mean allowance money or money received as gifts from friends and family. It can come from money earned through walking dogs, mowing lawns or performing other jobs for people outside of the family. 

What is a Custodial Roth IRA and What are the Rules?

→ There are contribution limits. The Roth IRA for kids contribution limit remains the same as Roth IRAs for adults: the lesser of $6,000 in 2021 ($7,000 if age 50 or older) or earned income. If your child baby-sits for some neighbors and earns $2,500 during the year, you can open a Roth IRA and contribute up to $2,500 into the account.

What is a Custodial Roth IRA and What are the Rules?

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