See the tax break a contribution actually gives you.

A pre-tax contribution — to accounts like an HSA or a traditional retirement plan — reduces your taxable income by the amount you put in, so you pay less tax now. Contribute $4,000 at a 25% marginal rate and you save about $1,000 in tax this year, making the real cost of that $4,000 only $3,000. Some accounts (like an HSA) can also grow and be withdrawn tax-free for qualifying expenses, adding further benefit. Rules and limits vary, so check what applies to you.

Pre-tax (traditional) contributions cut your tax now and are taxed when you withdraw later; Roth contributions are made with after-tax money, so there's no break now but qualifying withdrawals are tax-free. Which wins depends largely on whether your tax rate is higher now or in the future. This calculator focuses on the up-front tax saving of pre-tax contributions; both types are worth understanding for your situation.

A ready-to-use spreadsheet (Excel & Google Sheets): immediate tax saved, real net cost, and projected growth of pre-tax contributions over time — delivered instantly after checkout. AI-assisted, human-built; not tax or financial advice.