Self-Employed · Retirement
Solo 401(k) for Photographers — 2026 Calculator
Self-employed photographers — wedding, commercial, or portrait — qualify for a Solo 401(k). With typical net income of $60,000–$120,000, the tax savings can exceed $20,000 per year.
2026 max contribution
$70,000
Typical income range
$45,000–$120,000
Catch-up (age 50+)
+$7,500
Deadline to open
Dec 31, 2026
Your 2026 retirement plan
Fill in your situation and click Calculate →
Solo 401(k) for Photographers: What You Need to Know
Business structure
Most photographers operate as sole proprietors or LLCs. Wedding photographers averaging $80,000+ in net income should evaluate S-Corp status to reduce SE taxes on distributions.
Income pattern & timing
Photography income is often seasonal — heavy in spring and fall wedding season. Maximize contributions in Q3–Q4 when cash flow is highest.
Key strategy
If you photograph both personal (weddings) and commercial (brand) work, your equipment and studio expenses reduce net income — which affects your Solo 401(k) contribution limit. Run the calculator with your net self-employment income (after all business deductions) for accurate results.
Solo 401(k) vs. SEP-IRA for photographers
A Solo 401(k) allows both an employee deferral (up to $23,500 in 2026) and an employer contribution (up to 25% of net compensation), for a combined maximum of $70,000. A SEP-IRA only allows employer contributions — no employee deferral. This means self-employed photographers earning under approximately $120,000 in net income can typically contribute more to a Solo 401(k) than a SEP-IRA.
How to open a Solo 401(k) as a photographer
- Get an EIN (free at IRS.gov, takes 5 minutes online). You need this even as a sole proprietor.
- Choose a provider. Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard offer free Solo 401(k) plans. Fidelity supports both traditional and Roth contributions with no fees.
- Open the account before December 31 of the tax year you want contributions to count.
- Fund the account by your tax filing deadline — April 15, or October 15 if you file an extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can photographers open a Solo 401(k)?
Yes. Self-employed photographers with Schedule C or 1099 income qualify for a Solo 401(k) as long as they have no full-time W-2 employees other than a spouse. The 2026 contribution limit is $70,000 ($77,500 with catch-up for those 50+).
Can I deduct camera equipment AND contribute to a Solo 401(k)?
Yes — Section 179 and depreciation deductions reduce your net self-employment income, which lowers your Solo 401(k) contribution limit (since the employer contribution is 25% of net compensation). You're making two separate deductions that compound your tax savings, but the 401(k) limit is calculated after equipment deductions are applied.
I'm a part-time wedding photographer. Do I qualify?
Yes. Even $20,000 of net photography income qualifies for a Solo 401(k), as long as you have no full-time employees. Part-time photographers with a day job can participate in both their employer's 401(k) and a Solo 401(k) — just watch the shared $23,500 employee deferral limit.
Should a photographer choose a traditional or Roth Solo 401(k)?
Traditional contributions make sense in high-income years when you're in the 24% or 32% federal bracket. Roth contributions work better in lower-income years (under $100,000 net) or if you expect to be in a higher bracket in retirement. Many photographers split between both.
Other Solo 401(k) guides
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