Investigator Finance

We dig into the fees so you don't have to

Plain-English comparisons of the accounts self-directed investors choose between: what each one is for, how it’s taxed, the 2026 limits, and what providers charge, with every number sourced.

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The accounts, side by side

The short version of each account page. Limits are for tax year 2026 and come from the IRS. Each page has the full rules and a provider fee table.

HSA
What it’s for
Medical costs, if you’re covered by a high-deductible health plan. You own the account and it stays with you when you change jobs.
Tax treatment
Contributions are deductible up to the limit, and payroll contributions can skip Social Security and Medicare tax. Non-medical withdrawals owe income tax and generally an extra 20% before 65.
2026 limit
$4,400 self-only or $8,750 family coverage, plus a $1,000 catch-up at 55 or older.
Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19, IRS Pub. 969
Open the HSA provider directory
Roth IRA
What it’s for
Retirement savings from earned income, if your income is under the IRS phase-out ranges.
Tax treatment
No deduction when you put money in. Qualified distributions are tax-free.
2026 limit
$7,500 across all your IRAs ($8,600 at 50 or older). Phases out at $153,000 to $168,000 MAGI single, $242,000 to $252,000 joint.
Sources: IRS: Roth IRAs, IRS: IRA contribution limits
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Traditional IRA
What it’s for
Retirement savings for anyone with earned income. There’s no income cap on contributing.
Tax treatment
May be deductible, depending on filing status, income and workplace-plan coverage. Earnings aren’t taxed until withdrawal, which is taxed as ordinary income.
2026 limit
$7,500 across all your IRAs ($8,600 at 50 or older), shared with any Roth IRA.
Sources: IRS: Traditional IRAs, IRS: IRA contribution limits
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Brokerage accounts
What it’s for
Investing with no IRS contribution limit, and you can generally withdraw whenever you want.
Tax treatment
No deduction and no tax-deferred growth. Long-term gains are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% for most people; short-term gains as ordinary income.
2026 limit
No IRS contribution limit.
Sources: IRS Topic no. 409
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Donor-advised funds
What it’s for
Charitable giving: give now, recommend grants to charities later. Gifts are irrevocable.
Tax treatment
Deductible in the year you give to the fund, if you itemize. From 2026 only gifts above 0.5% of AGI count.
2026 limit
No contribution cap. Deductions are generally limited to 60% of AGI for cash and 30% for appreciated stock.
Sources: IRS: Donor-advised funds, IRS Pub. 526
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Solo 401(k)
Coming soon
Solo 401(k) plans for self-employed people with no employees: contribution limits and providers.
See what’s planned
401(k) rollovers
Coming soon
Moving an old employer 401(k) into an IRA. You can’t open an employer 401(k) on your own, so this section covers rollovers.
See what’s planned

Which account first?

There’s no single right order. It depends on your income, your health plan, your taxes now and later, and what you’re saving for, which makes it a good question for a tax professional. These rules from the pages above narrow it down:

Not on a high-deductible health plan? You can’t contribute to an HSA. HSA vs. FSA
Income at or above the Roth phase-out? You can’t contribute to a Roth IRA directly, but anyone with earned income can contribute to a traditional IRA, even if it isn’t deductible. Traditional IRA rules
Already used your $7,500 IRA limit? It’s shared between Roth and traditional IRAs. A taxable brokerage account has no IRS limit. Brokerage accounts
Might need the money before retirement? Brokerage money can generally be withdrawn any time. A DAF gift can’t be taken back. Donor-advised funds

Educational, not financial, tax or legal advice. Some links may earn us a commission in the future; a commission never changes our order or numbers. See how we make money and our methodology.

The accounts, side by side

HSA

Roth IRA

Traditional IRA

Brokerage accounts

Donor-advised funds

Solo 401(k)

401(k) rollovers

Which account first?

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