Originally Posted by Gunfighter

This entire thread is about MBDR, but I think you are confusing it with a Roth conversion.
79,365 of W2 earnings = 50,000 MBDR Roth annual contribution
79,365 of W2 earnings also equals 50,000 Traditional plus 18,500 (29,365 minus taxes) for hookers and blow or a taxable investment account.

As for Roth conversions, the tax similarities still apply. If you have the money to pay the taxes vs reducing principle in the Roth account post conversion, you will have more spendable money. A 50K Roth conversion yields a tax liability of 18,500.
50K in a Roth account becomes more spendable money than 50K in a Traditional PLUS 18,500 in a taxable. The math is clear, but setting up the problem correctly can be problematic.