Kerry Meath-Sinkin CFP® AIF®

Partner, Wealth Advisor

Helping you feel empowered, hopeful and confident about your financial future.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

March 24, 2025
Kerry Meath-Sinkin

2025 Tax & Retirement Planning Guide: What You Need to Know About IRA Contributions and Tax Documents

As tax season approaches and important financial decisions come into focus, we’re here to help you navigate each step with clarity and calm. Our thoughtfully designed resources—from tax document checklists to comprehensive flowcharts on IRA contributions—offer some additional information to help you start thinking about what makes sense for you. With these tools, you can approach your financial planning with a bit more confidence and balance, paving the way for a more secure and abundant future.

We understand that the process of gathering all your necessary documents can feel overwhelming. To simplify this task, we’ve created a Tax Document Checklist to help you stay organized, reduce stress, and ensure a smoother filing process. This resource is designed to empower you—whether you’re a seasoned taxpayer or handling your taxes for the first time—by breaking down each step and providing clarity on what’s needed, from income statements to deductible expenses. Sharing this checklist with your accountant can further streamline your efforts, allowing you to approach tax season with confidence and focus, ultimately paving the way for a more balanced and stress-free financial journey.

📌Click here to download your Tax Document Checklist 

2025 · CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO MY ROTH IRA?

Evaluating whether to contribute to a Roth IRA can feel like navigating a winding road with many twists and turns. To simplify the process, we’ve created the “Can I Contribute to My Roth IRA?” Flowchart to help you determine your eligibility. This resource walks you through key factors, including:
✔ Earned income requirements
✔ Impact of other IRA contributions
✔ Filing status & MAGI thresholds
Just as in holistic wellness, where each element of our lives is interconnected, understanding your financial landscape is crucial to making a choice that supports your overall well-being.

In this process, clarity is key. I believe that bringing awareness to our financial choices empowers us to create lasting shifts in how we relate to money, much like the transformative shifts experienced in our wellness practices. With this visual roadmap, you’ll not only discover the practical steps to assess the benefits of a Roth IRA but also gain deeper insight into your broader financial narrative. By thoughtfully evaluating your situation through this flowchart, you’re taking a proactive step toward cultivating a balanced and abundant financial life.

📌 Click here to download your Roth IRA eligibility flowchart 

2025 · SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE TO MY ROTH IRA VS. MY TRADITIONAL IRA?
Roth IRA or Traditional IRA: Which One Is Right for You?

When planning for retirement, a common question I encounter is whether to contribute to a Roth IRA or a Traditional IRA. This decision isn’t just about choosing one account over another—it’s about aligning your retirement strategy with your current financial reality and your future goals. Both options offer unique benefits and considerations, and the right choice depends on a variety of factors, including your present tax situation, your expectations for future tax rates, and your overall retirement planning strategy. Over the years, I’ve seen how a thoughtful approach to this decision can ease financial stress and empower you to live a more balanced and abundant life.

To help simplify this decision-making process, we’ve created the “Should I Contribute to My Roth IRA vs. My Traditional IRA?” Flowchart. This resource is designed to guide you through the critical elements of each option, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of how each account aligns with your long-term financial vision. The flowchart walks you through:
✔ Eligibility for tax-deductible contributions
✔ Roth IRA contribution limits
✔ Current vs. future tax rates
✔ Maximizing contributions
✔ Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) impact

Each step in the flowchart is a deliberate part of a larger conversation about your financial health. Just as in holistic wellness, where every element of our lives interconnects, your retirement planning should integrate both immediate financial needs and your aspirations for the future.

Choosing between a Roth and a Traditional IRA isn’t about one being universally better than the other—it’s about understanding the nuances and making the choice that best fits your unique situation. With this resource, you have the opportunity to reflect on key factors that might have previously felt overwhelming. The flowchart serves not only as a practical tool but also as a reminder that every financial decision is part of a broader journey toward long-term well-being and fulfillment.

Take a moment to explore the flowchart, consider the questions it raises, and see where your current financial landscape meets your future goals. By engaging with this process, you’re taking an essential step toward cultivating a more intentional and stress-free retirement plan. I invite you to [Click here to download your IRA contribution flowchart] and start mapping out the retirement strategy that best serves you today and tomorrow.

2024 · CAN I MAKE A DEDUCTIBLE IRA CONTRIBUTION?

Navigating the world of retirement savings can feel like deciphering an intricate puzzle—one that directly impacts your long-term financial well-being. A Traditional IRA offers the benefit of tax-deferred growth, yet making a fully deductible contribution isn’t always straightforward. With factors such as earned income requirements, employer-sponsored retirement plan coverage, the impact of Roth IRA contributions, and the nuances of filing status and MAGI thresholds at play, determining your eligibility can quickly become overwhelming.

To simplify the process, we’ve created the “Can I Make a Deductible IRA Contribution?” Flowchart, which helps you determine:
Earned income requirements
Employer-sponsored retirement plan coverage
Impact of Roth IRA contributions
Filing status & MAGI thresholds

Whether you’re new to the world of IRAs or looking to fine-tune your current strategy, this tool not only demystifies complex tax rules but also encourages a thoughtful, proactive approach to your financial journey. Embrace this opportunity to gain clarity and confidence in your retirement planning, and take the next step toward a more organized, stress-free future.
📌 Click here to download your IRA contribution eligibility flowchart 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KERRY MEATH-SINKIN CFP®AIF®

Partner, Wealth Advisor

Kerry is passionate about helping others cultivate meaningful, abundant, and impactful financial lives. Her approach in cultivating holistic abundance pulls from her experiences in both the corporate and wellness disciplines. In Kerry’s experience a person finds abundance when they have an effective financial game plan coupled with emotional clarity around money and their life.

 

kmsinkin@meathwealthadvisors.com
612.412.9971

RESOURCES

2025 Tax & Retirement Planning Guide: What You Need to Know About IRA Contributions and Tax Documents

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