The Roth IRA has long been a great tax-advantaged retirement vehicle — but once you hit certain income limits, you can no longer contribute directly to a Roth IRA.

However, through the use of a backdoor Roth IRA contribution — a strategy that involves making nondeductible (post-tax) contributions to a traditional IRA and then converting those funds to a Roth IRA — those income limits effectively disappear. This strategy allows even high earners to enjoy the tax benefits of a Roth IRA.

But here's the catch: for most people, the process is complicated, requiring multiple steps, IRS forms, and a solid understanding of tax law. And there are a bunch of ways to mess it up.

So why hasn't Congress fixed this? Great question. I have no idea.

But the result? A tax code that favors those with the financial literacy to navigate these complexities, while leaving the average investor in the dark. It's a great example of how the system benefits those who already have an edge.