2026 IRA Contribution Limits and Income Phase-Outs

Quick Answer

In 2026, you can contribute $7,000 to a traditional or Roth IRA (or split between them). At age 50+, add a $1,000 catch-up contribution for $8,000 total. Roth contributions are limited by income: if you earn over $146,000 (single) or $230,000 (married filing jointly), you're partially or fully ineligible. Traditional IRA deductions are also limited if you're covered by an employer plan and your income exceeds thresholds.

2026 IRA Contribution Limits

These limits apply to combined traditional and Roth contributions. You cannot contribute $7,000 to both; the total across all IRAs you own is $7,000.

Example: You can contribute:

• $7,000 to Roth IRA only, or
• $4,000 to Roth + $3,000 to traditional, or
• $7,000 to traditional only.

But not $7,000 to Roth + $7,000 to traditional (the sum would exceed the limit).

Roth IRA Income Phase-Outs

You can contribute the full amount to a Roth IRA only if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is below certain thresholds. Above those thresholds, contributions are phased out.

How phase-out works: For every $1 over the threshold, your contribution limit decreases by $1 (per dollar, rounded to the nearest $50).

Example 1: Single filer, MAGI $150,000.

• Phase-out threshold: $146,000.
• Amount over threshold: $150,000 – $146,000 = $4,000.
• Contribution limit: $7,000 – $4,000 = $3,000 (maximum you can contribute).

Example 2: Single filer, MAGI $156,000 or higher.

• Amount over threshold: $156,000+ – $146,000 = $10,000+.
• Contribution limit: $7,000 – $10,000 = $0 (you're ineligible).

Example 3: Married filing jointly, MAGI $235,000.

• Phase-out threshold: $230,000.
• Amount over: $235,000 – $230,000 = $5,000.
• Contribution limit: $7,000 – $5,000 = $2,000.

Traditional IRA Deduction Phase-Outs

Traditional IRA contributions are always allowed (you can contribute even if ineligible for a deduction). However, the deduction phases out if you're covered by an employer-sponsored plan:

What is "covered by an employer plan"? Your employer offers a 401(k), 403(b), SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or other qualified plan to you.

Example 1: Single, $80,000 income, covered by a 401(k) at work.

• Phase-out threshold: $77,000.
• Amount over: $80,000 – $77,000 = $3,000.
• Deduction limit: $7,000 – $3,000 = $4,000 (you can deduct $4,000).
• You can still contribute $3,000 (non-deductible).

Example 2: Single, $90,000 income, not covered by any employer plan.

• No phase-out applies.
• You can deduct the full $7,000 traditional IRA contribution.

Example 3: Married filing jointly, both earn $130,000 each (household: $260,000), one spouse covered by 401(k).

• Phase-out threshold: $123,000.
• Amount over: $130,000 – $123,000 = $7,000.
• Each spouse's deduction: $7,000 – $7,000 = $0 (neither can deduct).
• However, both can still contribute non-deductible amounts.

Contribution and Deduction Rules

Can I contribute if I'm over the limit?

• Roth: No. You cannot contribute above the income limits (after phase-out).
• Traditional: Yes. You can always contribute (even if you can't deduct it). Non-deductible contributions don't reduce taxable income but still reduce IRA basis for Roth conversion purposes.

Can I split between traditional and Roth?

Yes. If you're eligible for Roth and want some traditional deferral, contribute to both. Example: $4,000 to Roth + $3,000 to traditional (deductible or non-deductible) = $7,000 total.

What Is "Modified Adjusted Gross Income" (MAGI)?

MAGI for Roth eligibility is generally your AGI plus:

• Traditional IRA deductions (pulled back in).
• Student loan interest deduction (pulled back in).
• Passive loss deductions (pulled back in).
• Foreign earned income exclusion (pulled back in).

For most people, MAGI ≈ AGI. Check IRS Publication 590-A for precise calculations.

Backdoor Roth for High Earners

If you exceed Roth income limits, use the backdoor Roth strategy:

1. Contribute $7,000 (non-deductible) to a traditional IRA.
2. Immediately convert it to a Roth IRA.
3. The conversion is tax-free (since the contribution was non-deductible).

Pro-rata rule caveat: If you have other pre-tax IRA balances, the conversion is partly taxable. Roll those IRAs into your 401(k) first to avoid the pro-rata rule.

See the /products/attorney-backdoor-roth-calculator tool for detailed backdoor Roth math.

Catch-Up Contributions: Age 50+

At age 50, you can contribute an additional $1,000 to either traditional or Roth IRA.

• Age 49: Max $7,000.
• Age 50+: Max $8,000 ($7,000 + $1,000 catch-up).

The catch-up is available even if you're over income limits for deductions or Roth eligibility.

Example: Age 52, single, MAGI $160,000 (over Roth limit of $156,000).

• You cannot contribute to Roth (over limit).
• But you can do a backdoor Roth: contribute $8,000 non-deductible to traditional, then convert to Roth.

Contribution Timing

You can contribute to an IRA for a tax year anytime until the tax return deadline:

• No extension: April 15 (April 17 if April 15 falls on weekend/holiday) 2027 for 2026 contributions.
• With extension: October 15, 2027 for 2026 contributions.

This flexibility lets you wait until mid-year (knowing your MAGI) before deciding traditional vs. Roth.

Spousal IRAs

Married couples can fund IRAs for both spouses, even if one has no income:

Example: High-earner spouse ($200,000) earns all household income. Non-working spouse ($0).

• Working spouse can contribute to their own traditional or Roth IRA ($7,000, subject to income limits).
• Working spouse can contribute to a spousal IRA for the non-working spouse ($7,000).
• Total household contribution: $14,000.

The non-working spouse's spousal IRA grows tax-free and can be converted to Roth (possibly at low or zero tax if they have little other income).

Inherited IRAs and the 10-Year Rule

The 2019 SECURE Act changed inherited IRA rules. If you inherit an IRA from someone who wasn't your spouse, you generally must empty the IRA within 10 years.

See the /products/inherited-ira-rmd-calculator tool for guidance on inherited IRA RMDs.

Common Mistakes

1. Over-contributing: Exceeding limits triggers a 6% penalty annually until corrected.

2. Contributing to both Roth and traditional without tracking the combined limit: You might think you're contributing $7,000 to Roth and $7,000 to traditional, when only $7,000 total is allowed.

3. Missing the income phase-out: Thinking you're eligible when your income exceeds limits.

4. Not doing a backdoor Roth: High earners resigning themselves to not saving in Roth, when backdoor Roths are a legal workaround.

5. Forgetting about spouse IRAs: Married couples often max one spouse's IRA and overlook spousal IRAs for the other.

Sources

• Internal Revenue Service. "IRA Contribution Limits." IRS.gov.
• Internal Revenue Service. Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs).
• Internal Revenue Service. "Roth IRA Eligibility." IRS.gov.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Traditional IRA Deduction Limits." IRS.gov.
• Social Security Administration. "MAGI Calculation for IRA Purposes."