Traditional IRA
Roth IRA
Tax-deductible contributions?
Tax-free qualified distributions?
Subject to RMDs?
Account must be designated as a Roth IRA when set up?
Tax-free early withdrawals of contributions?
No
No
Yes
Yes, in most cases
No
No
Yes
No
Yes*
Yes** [v]
*Traditional IRA contributions may or may not be tax deductible.
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**If you satisfy the IRS requirements, qualified distributions are tax free.
