The Power Of Zero Show

Trump: No Income Tax in 2026!

This episode revolves around President Donald Trump's claim that, due to the massive tsunami of tariff revenue that's flowing into the U.S. coffers, Americans won't have to pay income tax in 2026. David McKnight looks at the 2025 fiscal year: the Federal Government spent about $7 trillion and brought in about $5 and a quarter trillion in revenue. While breaking down the math related to the 2025 fiscal year, David points out that "Revenue from income taxes is the single largest source of Federal revenue", while "Tariffs, by contrast, are one of the smallest." Even Trump's own economic team, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has said that in an extremely optimistic scenario, tariff revenue might someday reach $500 billion a year – which is only about ⅕ of what gets collected in income taxes. By looking at the numbers, it's clear that the proposed tariff-funded $2,000 check for each of the 340 million Americans wouldn't work: it would cost roughly $680 billion against a tariff revenue that only amounts to $195 billion… David clarifies a key point about tariffs. They're not paid by foreign governments, they're paid by U.S. importers. In other words, tariffs are simply a tax on consumers. There's an additional problem that shouldn't be overlooked. Not only do tariffs not generate enough revenue, but they can also lead to retaliation by other countries imposing their own tariffs on American exports. This means that an American effort to try to raise trillions of dollars through tariffs could end up costing heavily on its own people.  David is crystal clear: While these types of claims make for great sound bites, the federal budget still has to obey the mathematical laws of the universe, and the math makes it clear: There's no world in which tariffs could ever eliminate the need for an income tax. By the look of things, the U.S. is marching into a future where the federal government will soon need huge infusions of cash just to pay the interest on its exploding national debt. To forestall this, the U.S. government will have to double federal income taxes in or around 2035.  That's why, David says, having a dialed-in strategy to get your retirement savings shifted from 401(k)s and IRAs to Roths is more important than ever.     Mentioned in this episode: David's new book, available now for pre-order: The Secret Order of Millionaires David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement by David McKnight DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com President Donald Trump Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent  Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania 

Congress Just Proposed a Major Change to Roth IRA's—Here's What It Means for You

David McKnight addresses a brand new proposal that could transform the way Americans use Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k) – and that could have serious implications for your retirement flexibility, liquidity, and long-term tax strategy. With the current status quo, if a person has money in a 401(k) or even a Roth 401(k), they can usually roll it out into an IRA when they retire or leave their job. However, money can't roll the other direction: you can't take a Roth IRA and move it into a Roth 401(k)... A new bipartisan bill introduced by Republican Representative Darin LaHood and Democrat Representative Linda Sánchez aims to change that. Under this proposal, you could roll your Roth IRA into an employer-sponsored Roth account like a Roth 401(k), a Roth 403(b) or even a Roth 457 plan. This change could mean less paperwork, potentially lower fees, and a simpler investment picture. David cites simplicity, cost and protection as a few of the reasons why lawmakers may want this bill to pass. One of the incentives for Washington may have to do with the fact that encouraging people to use Roth accounts – which are taxed up front – can generate more short-term tax revenue for the government. Everything isn't as good as it seems, though. David lists a few of the trade-offs involved with this potential change. Firstly, loss of control. When your money is in a Roth IRA, you can invest it wherever you want: Index funds, EFTs, individual stocks, and more. With an employer plan, your investment menu would be limited by the options the plan administrator offers. The so-called Five-Year Rule is another aspect worth considering. Typically, every Roth account has to be open for at least five years or until 59 ½, whichever is later, before earnings can be withdrawn tax-free.  Here's the tricky part: Each different kind of Roth account has its own five-year clock. This could turn into a logistical nightmare for plan administrators. David shares some final considerations regarding who would benefit and who may get negatively affected by the proposed bill and points out that "Not all Roths are created equal."     Mentioned in this episode: David's new book, available now for pre-order: The Secret Order of Millionaires David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement by David McKnight DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Darin LaHood Linda Sánchez Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

What Are the Creditor Protection Rules for Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s?

In today's episode, David McKnight breaks down the creditor protection rules for Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s, as well as why more and more Americans are turning to tax-free accounts to insulate themselves from creditors… and the Government itself. In theory, under Federal Law, all IRAs traditional or Roths receive a certain level of bankruptcy protection under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. However, that protection is specifically tied to bankruptcy proceedings. If you're sued in civil court, the Federal bankruptcy statute doesn't automatically apply, state law takes over… By pointing out differences between states like Texas, Arizona and Florida on one end, and California and Montana on the other, David explains that whether your Roth IRA survives a potential lawsuit intact depends largely on the state in which you reside. Roth 401(k)s play by a different set of rules, as they fall under the 1974 Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). David notes that "ERISA is the big Federal law that governs most employer-sponsored retirement plans, and it comes with some of the strongest creditor  protection available anywhere in the financial world."  According to David, it's not hard to see why the Federal Government is going to need huge infusions of new revenue in the very near future. Wondering how they will be raising that capital? By targeting the nearly $45 trillion in tax-deferred retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k). In other words, while your retirement accounts may indeed be largely immune to lawsuits, they're entirely exposed to the impact of rising tax rates. David points out that contributing to 401(k)s or IRAs is like going into a business partnership with the IRS – every year, they get to vote on what percentage of your profits they get to keep. Remember: a well-planned Roth strategy doesn't just shield you from tomorrow's higher tax rates, it can also serve as a fortress protecting your wealth from outside claims.     Mentioned in this episode: David's new book, available now for pre-order: The Secret Order of Millionaires David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement by David McKnight DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)

Top Five Reasons to Pick a Roth 401(k) Over a Traditional 401(k)

This episode features David McKnight sharing the top five reasons why a Roth 401(k) is far superior to a traditional 401(k). Something important to keep in mind: the decision you make today will determine how much of your retirement money your future self actually gets to keep. David touches upon the fact that choosing the wrong 401(k) could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes in retirement. Tax rate risk is the first big reason why you should consider investing in a Roth 401(k) over a traditional 401(k). David lists a series of key questions people who invest in a traditional 401(k) often fail to ask themselves. The second reason to consider a Roth 401(k) over a traditional 401(k) is Social Security taxation. Most people believe that Social Security is tax-free…but it's not. 50% of your Social Security, plus wages, pensions, and interest, as well as all withdrawals from traditional IRAs and traditional 401(k)s, are what the IRS counts as provisional income. The third reason for choosing a Roth 401(k) and not a traditional 401(k) has to do with something that most retirees never plan for: Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Remember: "When you control your taxable income, you control your Medicare costs." Required Minimum Distributions (or RMDs) are the fourth reason for opting for a Roth 401(k). The fifth reason for going for a Roth 401(k) instead of a traditional 401(k) has to do with your heirs. When they inherit a traditional 401(k), it becomes a tax bomb. So, why choose a Roth 401(k) over a traditional 401(k)? Because a Roth 401(k) helps you eliminate tax rate risk, avoid Social Security taxation traps, prevent Medicare premium explosions, stay in control of withdrawals, and leave tax-free income to your heirs.     Mentioned in this episode: David's new book, available now for pre-order: The Secret Order of Millionaires David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement by David McKnight DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com

Suze Orman Says Roth IRAs Are Great — But Here's What She's Missing

This episode sees David McKnight look at Suze Orman, who, despite being one of the most widely recognized financial voices in America, shares what appears to be incomplete advice. David believes that Orman has done a lot of good for a lot of people thanks to her financial discipline-centered approach (in addition to being a big proponent of Roth IRAs). He agrees with Orman: "Roth IRAs are powerful, no doubt about it. You contribute after tax dollars, your money grows tax-free, and, provided you meet the requirements, you can withdraw those funds in retirement 100% tax-free".  The U.S. is currently at historically low income tax rates and, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, they have been permanently extended. However, David shares that, when it comes to the IRS tax code, there's no such thing as a permanent extension. David's pet peeve with Orman: getting money into Roth IRAs now (while tax rates are low) isn't something that will truly protect you from rising tax rates in retirement. That's because a Roth IRA by itself isn't enough. In his book The Power of Zero, David advocates for a balanced, comprehensive approach to tax-free retirement that draws from six different streams of tax-free income. David goes through the six strategies and explains why you need each and every one of them if you want to land in the 0% tax bracket in retirement.     Mentioned in this episode: David's new book, available now for pre-order: The Secret Order of Millionaires David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement by David McKnight DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com Suze Orman OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act)