Can Your Child Really Become a Tax-Free Millionaire?

What if I told you your child could retire with millions of dollars—and never pay a dime in taxes on it?

That might sound exaggerated, but it isn’t. Simple math, decades of compounding, and one often-overlooked part of the tax code make it possible: a Roth IRA for a child.

Most parents don’t realize that children can legally own a Roth IRA, or that earned income for a child’s Roth IRA is the key that unlocks it. Without earned income, a Roth IRA for a child with no income isn’t allowed—but once that requirement is met, the strategy becomes incredibly powerful.

When earned income is documented properly and invested for the long term, the results aren’t speculative—they’re predictable. The real advantage comes from starting early. When contributions begin young, the account can grow tax-free for decades, quietly compounding in the background.

Watch the full video now to see exactly how this strategy works and how to set it up correctly.

What Is a Roth IRA for Kids, and How Does It Work?

When you fund a Roth IRA with after-tax dollars, you unlock long-term tax advantages. The money grows completely tax-free, and you never pay tax on qualified withdrawals in retirement.

When you start this early, time does the heavy lifting. Starting early allows tax-free investing for kids over multiple decades, which dramatically increases compounding.

The child is the account owner, even though a parent manages the account while the child is a minor. 

Does a Child Need Earned Income to Open a Roth IRA?

Yes, and this is where the misunderstanding usually begins.

A child must have earned income to be eligible for a Roth IRA. That leads to one of the most common questions parents ask: Can a child have a Roth IRA without earned income?

The answer is no. The IRS doesn’t allow a Roth IRA unless the child has earned income. However, once earned income is available, parents can still contribute to the account.

Earned income can come from:

• Jobs
  
• Self-employment
  
• Working for a family business
  
• Gifting

The IRS focuses on legitimacy, not age.

Can You Legally Pay Your Kids from Your Business?

Yes—and for business owners, this is one of the most effective ways to pay your child.

When your child performs real, legitimate work for your business, the tax code allows you to pay them just like any other worker. This isn’t a loophole or a gray area. The work must be necessary, the pay must be reasonable, and you must document the arrangement.

That work can take many forms: children commonly help with content creation, social media management, rental property maintenance, and simple office tasks. Once you formalize the work, the IRS treats it as earned income, not informal help.

This hiring your kids tax strategy works for corporations, LLCs, and even sole proprietorships. The business benefits first. Wages paid to your child are a legitimate tax deduction, which reduces the business’s taxable income. That alone can make a meaningful difference at the end of the year.

For the child, the IRS usually taxes that income at a much lower tax rate than the parents’, and often doesn’t tax it at all if it falls below the standard deduction. That income qualifies as earned income, allowing it to be deposited directly into a Roth IRA and grow tax-free over time.

The goal isn’t to access the money early. While Roth IRAs offer flexibility, early withdrawals of earnings can trigger taxes and penalties. That’s why this strategy works best when you treat the account as a long-term investment and let it compound quietly over time instead of tapping it early.

When structured correctly, paying your kids through your business turns everyday work into a smart, compliant way to reduce taxes now while building long-term wealth for the next generation.

What Records Do You Need to Protect This Strategy?

Documentation is essential.

You should keep:

• Job descriptions
  
• Timesheets
  
• Payroll or contractor records
  
• Proof of work performed

These records protect the tax advantages and ensure compliance in the event the IRS ever asks questions.

How Much Can a Child Contribute to a Roth IRA Each Year?

In 2026, the IRS limits contributions to the lesser of:

• $7,500, or
  
• The child’s earned income

If your child earns $5,000, they can contribute $5,000—even if they don’t keep the cash themselves.

Parents can gift the funds used for the contribution, which is how many families fund a Roth IRA for a child without income, while still complying with earned income rules.

How to Open a Roth IRA for a Child?

Parents should use a Custodial Roth IRA.

The account:

• Uses the child’s Social Security Number
  
• Lists the child as the account owner
  
• Is controlled by the parent until the child turns 18 or reaches the age of majority, depending on state law

Once the child has reached the age of majority, control automatically transfers to them.

How Does a Custodial Roth IRA Grow Into Millions Over Time?

Put the money to work early, leave it alone, and compounding takes over.

For example:

• $5,000 per year for seven years
  
• Invested in diversified mutual funds
  
• Left untouched for decades

The result can exceed $2 million, completely tax-free.

How Should You Invest a Child’s Roth IRA?

The focus should be on long-term ownership rather than trading.

Common choices include:

• Broad-market mutual funds
  
• Index ETFs
  
• Buy-and-hold strategies

This reinforces disciplined savings and investment habits while maximizing growth.

Is it Really Tax-Free?

In most cases, yes, funds grow tax-free in this account.

When a child’s earned income falls below the standard deduction, they typically don’t owe any federal income tax on that money. That means the federal government effectively never taxes the dollars you contribute to the Roth IRA.

Inside a Roth IRA, the money grows year after year without tax drag. Dividends, gains, and long-term appreciation all stay inside the account, untouched by the IRS.

As long as you follow the rules, you can withdraw the money in retirement without paying tax. There’s no capital gains tax, no ordinary income tax, and no surprise bill later in life.

The key is patience. While Roth IRAs offer flexibility, taking earnings out early can trigger taxes and penalties. That’s why this account works best when you treat it as a long-term strategy and let it sit, compound, and quietly build wealth over decades.

How Does Starting a Roth IRA Early Create Generational Wealth?

This strategy isn’t just about growing an account balance. It’s about shaping how your child understands money from the very beginning.

When kids earn income, see it invested, and watch it grow over time, they start to connect effort with ownership. They learn that money isn’t just something you spend—it’s something you build. That mindset shift is powerful, and it tends to stick well into adulthood.

Starting early also reinforces long-term thinking. Instead of chasing short-term wins, kids see firsthand how patience and consistency yield long-term benefits. They learn that the biggest results don’t come from doing something flashy, but from doing the right thing and letting time work in their favor.

By combining earned income, straightforward investing, and lawful tax advantages, families can quietly create momentum that compounds across generations. 

A Simple Recap

For this strategy to be effective, several key fundamentals must be in place.

A child must have earned income, whether that comes from a traditional job or from working in a family business. Parents can legally pay their children for legitimate work, which creates income that qualifies for Roth IRA contributions.

The IRS ties contribution limits to the child’s income and its yearly caps, which keeps the rules straightforward. While the child is a minor, parents act as custodians and manage the account until the child turns 18 or reaches the age of majority under state law.

From there, long-term investing does the heavy lifting. By keeping the money invested and avoiding unnecessary withdrawals, families reduce lifetime tax exposure and give that early start the best chance to turn into something meaningful over time.

Do You Want Help Setting This Up the Right Way?

If you want help structuring payroll, documenting income, or coordinating this strategy properly, schedule a free 45-minute Strategy Session with an Anderson Advisors Senior Advisor.

We’ll help ensure everything is compliant, efficient, and built to last.