Tool · Investor Sam Retirement

IRA Contribution Limit and Phase-Out Checker (2025)

July 1, 2026 • By the Investor Sam Editorial Team • Reviewed by Berly Sam Varghese, Editor
IRA contribution limits are not the same for everyone — they phase out based on your income and whether you participate in a workplace plan. Millions of people assume they can contribute $7,000 but hit the limit before they start, or mistakenly think they are ineligible entirely. This tool applies the 2025 IRS phase-out rules precisely: you enter your income and situation, and it outputs your exact deductible and Roth IRA limits.

Example: Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI): 85000 $ · Your age: 45 · Covered by workplace plan (1=yes, 0=no): 1 · Filing status (0=single, 1=married): 0

Your 2025 Roth IRA contribution limit$7,000
Your 2025 deductible traditional IRA limit$2,800
Total IRA limit (before phase-out)$7,000
Catch-up amount if age 50+$0

Worked example

A single 45-year-old with $85,000 MAGI who participates in a 401(k): the deductible traditional IRA phase-out runs from $79,000 to $89,000 for singles with a workplace plan. At $85,000, the deductible limit is reduced to $2,800 (partial). The Roth phase-out for singles runs $150,000–$165,000, so the full $7,000 Roth contribution is available. This person should prioritize Roth over a non-deductible traditional contribution.

Frequently asked questions

What is MAGI for IRA purposes?

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for IRA purposes starts with your AGI and adds back items like student loan interest deductions, foreign income exclusions, and traditional IRA deductions. For most people, MAGI equals AGI. IRS Pub 590-A has the exact add-back list.

Can I contribute to both a traditional and Roth IRA?

Yes — the $7,000 limit is an aggregate cap across all your IRAs combined. You can split between traditional and Roth however you like, as long as the total does not exceed $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+). Both accounts benefit from tax-advantaged growth even with different tax timing.

What if my income is above the Roth limit?

High earners above the Roth phase-out can use the 'backdoor Roth' strategy: contribute to a non-deductible traditional IRA (no income limit) and then convert it to Roth. The conversion is tax-free if you have no other pre-tax IRA balances (watch the pro-rata rule). Consult a tax advisor for execution details.

What happens if I contribute too much?

An excess IRA contribution is subject to a 6% excise tax per year until corrected. Correct it by withdrawing the excess plus any attributable earnings before the tax filing deadline (including extensions). The 6% penalty is small but avoidable — always check your limit before contributing.

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Sources

Berly Sam Varghese · Editor, Investor Sam

Berly Sam Varghese is an engineer who treats money the way he treats any hard problem — something to be engineered, not gambled on. He funded years of education and built real financial stability the patient way, by living below his means and investing rather than borrowing. He writes for the person afraid they started saving too late. He reviews and approves every article on Investor Sam and checks the figures against primary sources before anything is published. More about our standards.