Roth IRA Income Limits

What are the Roth IRA income limits?

The maximum income limits for making a Roth IRA contribution are...

• $188,000 for those who are married and filing jointly on their tax return.
• $10,000 for those who are married, lived with their spouse at any time during the course of the tax year, and are filing separate tax returns.
• $127,000 for those who file as either:

• Single
• Head of household
• Married filing separately and did not live with their spouse during any part of the tax year.

If you want to know how much you can contribute, then compare your taxable income to the situation above which describes your tax filing status.

If your current earned income exceeds the amount associated with your tax filing status, you can NOT make a Roth IRA contribution for the current tax year.

However, if your earned income changes in future years, your eligibility to contribute to a Roth IRA will obviously change as well...

So don't give up on the idea of contributing to your Roth IRA!

Meanwhile, if you're still unsure as to whether or not you meet income eligibility requirements for a Roth IRA, then find the category below which best describes you tax filing status.

It should provide you with a more detailed picture of where you stand in regard to the Roth IRA income limits...

Married Filing Jointly or a Qualifying Widow(er)...

If this describes your IRS tax filing status, how much can you contribute to your Roth IRA?

Under IRS rules, you can contribute a maximum of...

• $5,500 if you're under 50 and your earned income is $178,000 or less
• $6,500 if you're over 50 and your earned income is $178,000 or less
• $0 regardless of age if your earned income is $188,000 or more

If your earned income falls somewhere between $178,001 and $188,000, then the amount you're allowed to contribute to your Roth IRA varies between zero and...

• $5,500 if you're under 50
• $6,500 if you're over 50

If this describes you, then it's best to consult with a financial professional to find out the exact dollar amount of your contribution given the Roth IRA income limits.

See Roth IRA Phase Out to learn how to calculate your contribution limit.

Single, Head of Household, or Married Filing Separately...

If this describes your IRS tax filing status, how much can you contribute to your Roth IRA?

Under IRS rules, you can contribute a maximum of...

• $5,500 if you're under 50 and your earned income is $112,000 or less
• $6,500 if you're over 50 and your earned income is $112,000 or less
• $0 regardless of age if your earned income is $127,000 or more

If your earned income falls somewhere between $112,001 and $127,000, then the amount you're allowed to contribute to your Roth IRA varies between zero and...

• $5,500 if you're under 50
• $6,500 if you're over 50

If this describes you, then it's best to consult with a financial professional to find out the exact dollar amount of your contribution given the Roth IRA income limits.

See Roth IRA Phase Out to learn how to calculate your contribution limit.

Married Filing Separately...

If your filing status is married filing separately, and...

You lived with your spouse at any time during the year, how much can you contribute to your Roth IRA?

Under IRS rules, you can contribute a maximum of...

• $5,500 if you're under 50 and your earned income is $0
• $6,500 if you're over 50 and your earned income is $0
• $0 regardless of age if your earned income is $10,000 or more

If your earned income falls somewhere between $1 and $10,000, then the amount you're allowed to contribute to your Roth IRA varies between zero and...

• $5,500 if you're under 50
• $6,500 if you're over 50

If this describes you, then it's best to consult with a financial professional to find out the exact dollar amount of your contribution given the Roth IRA income limits.

See Roth IRA Phase Out to learn how to calculate your contribution limit.