Tax & Commission Strategy

Mega Backdoor Roth Guide for Medical Device Reps If you’re a mid-career medical device rep, you already know how this movie goes. You’re good at what you do, your comp is strong, and your calendar looks like a game of Tetris with airports. Then April hits and you look at your tax bill like, “So… we’re just doing this forever?” And when you ask around, somebody (usually the rep who seems suspiciously calm all the time) mentions the Mega Backdoor Roth. Suddenly it sounds like t

Building Emergency Fund on Fluctuating Commissions Med Sales: A Tiered Plan That Can Work If you work in medical sales, you already know the weirdest part of a “high income” is how often it doesn’t feel like one. One month you are cruising, the next month you are staring at a reimbursement queue, a delayed payout, and a calendar full of flights, wondering why your checking account looks like it is doing a clinical trial on stress. This is exactly why building an emergency fu

If you’re a mid-career medical rep making great money and still feeling like you’re sprinting on a treadmill, you’re not crazy. You’re just living the reality of quota pressure + constant travel + a calendar that looks like someone spilled Tetris pieces on it. When your income is tied to performance, territory, management changes, and a product pipeline you don’t control, “passive income” stops sounding like a TikTok fantasy and starts sounding like what it really is: a press

If you’ve ever tried to do the “right” money move between airport Gate B12 and a customer dinner, you already know the dirty secret of personal finance: the best strategies aren’t the fanciest. They’re the ones you can actually execute when you’re tired, busy, and your income changes every time a big case closes. Roth accounts are a great example. Medical sales pros love the idea of tax-free growth. But many of you hit the Roth IRA income ceiling without trying. One strong co

Right-Size Your Cash Reserve for Commission Careers (Especially Medical Sales) If you’re in medical sales, you already know the weird truth: you can have a great year on paper and still feel like you’re one delayed commission check away from stress-eating airport pretzels for dinner. That’s not you “being bad with money.” That’s the job. Commission income is designed to swing, and medical sales adds its own flavor: credentialing delays, hospital purchasing cycles, territory s

If you’re in medical sales, you already know the routine: airports, late dinners, the “quick question” from your manager at 7:18 p.m., and a comp plan that feels like it was written by a committee of caffeinated attorneys. And then someone on the internet (or your buddy at SKO) says, “You should do a Roth conversion ladder.” Your first thought is usually the correct one: Wait… isn’t that for people who aren’t making real money right now? That’s exactly the tension behind a Ro

You know that feeling when your GPS says you’re “12 minutes away,” but you’ve been “12 minutes away” for the last half hour? That’s what burnout in medical sales feels like. Constant travel, quota pressure, a calendar that belongs to everyone except you… and then you’re supposed to keep up with tax law changes and retirement plan rules on top of it. Here’s the good news: a few very specific 2026 updates can meaningfully impact your after-tax cash flow and your options —espe

If you’re a mid-career professional in medical sales, you likely know firsthand that it’s not easy to keep all your financial plates spinning: commissions, travel, taxes, family obligations, and that ever-present dream of making work optional. The truth is, unless Congress acts, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) individual provisions expire at the end of 2025. And when the calendar flips to January 2026, much of what you’re used to about your take-home pay could change in

If you’ve spent years hitting quotas, racing to airports, and juggling territory demands, you might be starting to wonder how long you can keep up the pace. Early mornings in the OR, late dinners entertaining clients, and the pressure to hit ever-increasing numbers can wreak havoc on your family time and sanity. It’s no surprise many MedTech professionals dream of an earlier off-ramp—well before the traditional retirement age. Fortunately, with strategic planning, that dream

Introduction to Georgia’s Tax Landscape When you’re a medical sales professional in the prime of your career—earning high commissions and juggling relentless quotas—the idea of an early retirement can feel both tempting and daunting. Georgia’s generous tax policies might make that transition a lot smoother. While other states nickel-and-dime retirees, Georgia extends a friendly hand through its Retirement Income Exclusion (RIE). If you’re 62 to 64, you can exclude up to $35,0

If constant travel, monthly quotas, and the thrill of closing deals have left you dreaming of a comfortable exit from medical sales, you’re not alone. Many of the mid-career professionals I’ve worked with are determined to make work optional by age 50. It’s an appealing target: early enough to enjoy your prime years outside of corporate stress but late enough to have built a robust financial strategy. The good news? Retiring at 50 can be possible with intentional planning, th

Tax-Deductible Expenses for Traveling Medical Device Reps If you’re a medical device sales professional, you probably know the life of airports, hospital corridors, and high-pressure quotas all too well. Traveling from city to city can bring in substantial commissions, but it also creates a tax challenge if you’re not careful. Many reps leave savings on the table—especially when it comes to deducting business expenses they rack up on the road. Understanding which costs qualif

Lump-Sum Commission: Should You Invest or Pay Off Your Mortgage? Picture this: You just closed a blockbuster deal that triggered a fat lump-sum commission. Maybe you’re a mid-career medical sales rep, juggling life on the road and ambitious sales quotas, or perhaps you’re transitioning into a new device territory with huge signing bonuses. The question hitting your mind is straightforward but loaded with implications: “Should I put this big check toward crushing my mortgage—o

If you’re in medical sales, you already know how quickly those big commission checks can disappear once taxes get taken out—especially if you’re earning in the $200k–$350k range and constantly on the go to meet quotas. I know it can feel frustrating to see a large chunk withheld right as you’re juggling airport security lines, last-minute hotel bookings, and never-ending client calls. But there are ways to strategize those taxes down so you keep more of your income in your po

Introduction – Why Bonus Commissions Matter for Passive Income Welcome to the wild and often unpredictable world of medical sales, where variable commissions and lump-sum bonuses can be both thrilling and nerve-wracking. I’m David Dedman, ChFC®, AWMA® , and I’ve been working with professionals in the trenches of this industry for over three decades. While it’s exhilarating to see that quarterly bonus hit your bank account, it can also bring the question: “Now what?” Bonus com

Introduction Turning 40 in medical sales can feel a lot like reaching base camp on a mountain climb. You’re proud of the progress so far—sizable commissions, recognition from peers, and a standard of living that surpasses many of your friends. But more and more, you may be eyeing the summit: a future where you don’t have to jump on a plane every week or grind through high-pressure quotas. You’re not alone. Many mid-career medical sales professionals earning in the $200,000 to

Introduction and Purpose In the world of medical device sales, you often don’t have the luxury of a predictable, steady paycheck. One quarter, you might land a massive hospital contract or drive a successful product launch, leading to a hefty lump-sum commission. The next quarter, you’re back to grinding, waiting for the next big sale. This variability sets the stage for one of the most important decisions you can make: how and when to invest those large windfalls. Your goal

Imagine waking up on a typical Monday morning, but instead of hustling to meet aggressive quotas or catching another flight to a client...

How to Reduce Taxes on a $250k Medical Device Salary There’s nothing like that rush when a big commission check drops into your account....

If you’re a mid-career medical device sales professional in Texas, earning anywhere from $200K to $350K—and especially if you’re juggling...