Are My Contributions to a Traditional IRA Tax Deductible Although you may make a contribution to a Traditional IRA within the limitations described above, all or a portion of your contribution may be nondeductible. No deduction is allowed for a rollover contribution (including a “direct rollover”) or transfer. For “regular” contributions, the taxability of your contribution depends upon your tax filing status, whether you (and in some cases your spouse) are an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, and your income level. An employer-sponsored retirement plan includes any of the following types of retirement plans: • a qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan established in accordance with IRC 401(a) or 401(k); • a Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP) (IRC 408(k)); • a deferred compensation plan maintained by a governmental unit or agency; • tax-sheltered annuities and custodial accounts (IRC 403(b) and 403(b)(7)); • a qualified annuity plan under IRC Section 403(a); or • a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers (SIMPLE Plan). Generally, you are considered an “active participant” in a defined contribution plan if an employer contribution or forfeiture was credited to your account during the year. You are considered an “active participant” in a defined benefit plan if you are eligible to participate in a plan, even though you elect not to participate. You are also treated as an “active participant” if you make a voluntary or mandatory contribution to any type of plan, even if your employer makes no contribution to the plan. If you are not married (including a taxpayer filing under the “head of household” status), the following rules apply: • If you are not an “active participant” in an employer- sponsored retirement plan, you may make a contribution to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3). • If you are single and you are an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3), but then the deductibility limits of a contribution are related to your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as follows: Year Eligible to Make a Deductible Contribution if AGI is Less Than or Equal to: Eligible to Make a Partially Deductible Contribution if AGI is Between: Not Eligible to Make a Deductible Contribution if AGI is Over: 2020 $65,000 $65,000 - $75,000 $75,000 2021 & After - subject to COLA increases $66,000 $66,000 - $76,000 $76,000 If you are married, the following rules apply: • If you and your spouse file a joint tax return and neither you nor your spouse is an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you and your spouse may make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3). • If you and your spouse file a joint tax return and both you and your spouse are “active participants” in employer- sponsored retirement plans, you and your spouse may make fully deductible contributions to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3), but then the deductibility limits of a contribution are as follows: Year Eligible to Make a Deductible Contribution if AGI is Less Than or Equal to: Eligible to Make a Partially Deductible Contribution if AGI is Between: Not Eligible to Make a Deductible Contribution if AGI is Over: 2020 $104,000 $104,000 - $124,000 $124,000 2021 & After - subject to COLA increases $105,000 $105,000 - $125,000 $125,000 • If you and your spouse file a joint tax return and only one of you is an “active participant” in an employer- sponsored retirement plan, special rules apply. If your spouse is the “active participant,” a fully deductible contribution can be made to your IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3) if your combined modified adjusted gross income does not exceed $196,000 in 2020 or $198,000 in 2021. If your combined modified adjusted gross income is between $196,000 and $206,000 in 2020, or $198,000 and $208,000 in 2021, your deduction will be limited as described below. If your combined modified adjusted gross income exceeds $206,000 in 2020 or $208,000 in 2021, your contribution will not be deductible. Your spouse, as an “active participant” in an employer- sponsored retirement plan, may make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA if your combined modified adjusted gross income does not exceed the amounts listed in the table above. Conversely, if you are an “active” participant” and your spouse is not, a contribution to your Traditional IRA will be deductible if your combined modified adjusted gross income does not exceed the amounts listed above. • If you are married and file a separate return, and neither you nor your spouse is an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA (up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3). If you are married, filing separately, and either you or your spouse is an “active participant” in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may not make a fully deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA. Please note that the deduction limits are not the same as the contribution limits. You can contribute to your Traditional IRA in any amount up to the contribution limits detailed in Section 3. The amount of your contribution that is deductible for federal income tax purposes is based upon the rules described in this section. If you (or where applicable, your spouse) are an “active participant” in an employer- sponsored retirement plan, you can refer to IRS Publication 590-A: Figuring Your Modified AGI and Figuring Your Reduced IRA Deduction to calculate whether your contribution will be fully or partially deductible. Even if your income exceeds the limits described above, you may make a contribution to your IRA up to the contribution limitations described in Section 3. To the extent that your contribution exceeds the deductible limits, it will be nondeductible. However, earnings on all IRA contributions are tax deferred until distribution. You must designate on your federal income tax return the amount of your Traditional IRA contribution that is nondeductible and provide certain additional information concerning nondeductible contributions. Overstating the amount of nondeductible contributions will generally subject you to a penalty of $100 for each overstatement.
Saver’s Credit for IRA Contributions A credit of up to $1,000, or up to $2,000 if married filing jointly, may be available to certain taxpayers having a joint AGI of less than $65,000 in 2020, or $66,000 in 2021. The credit may also be available to certain taxpayers who are heads of household with an AGI of less than $48,750 in 2020, $49,500 in 2021, or married individuals filing separately and singles with an AGI less than $32,500 in 2020, or $33,000 in 2021. Some of the restrictions that apply include: • the individual must be at least 18; • not a full-time student; • not declared as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return; or • any distribution from most retirement plans (qualified and non-qualified) will decrease the eligible contribution.
