CPA · Question 12 · Area I: Individual Compliance and Planning

A taxpayer, age 45, is deciding between contributing $7,000 to a Traditional IRA (deductible) or a Roth IRA (non-deductible) for Year 1. The taxpayer's current marginal tax rate is 32%. The taxpayer expects to be in the 24% marginal tax rate bracket in retirement. The investment is expected to double in value by retirement. Which option provides the greater after-tax wealth at retirement, assuming the tax savings from the Traditional IRA are invested in a taxable account earning the same return (taxed as ordinary income)?