Printable checklist for your desk
Prefer paper? Print this two-page checklist, fill it in with a pencil, and bring it to your tax preparer or to our meeting. Large print, easy to read away from the screen.
Download the PDF (large print)Start with the annual limit
$7,500
$8,600
This is the combined annual limit for regular contributions to your Traditional and Roth IRAs. Eligible compensation and income restrictions can reduce it. [1, 2]
Check your 2026 income range
Use modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for Roth IRA purposes, not simply salary. Your tax preparer can give you this number. [1, 2]
| Filing status | Full income eligibility | Phase-out range | No direct contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single or head of household | Below $153,000 | $153,000 to below $168,000 | $168,000 or more |
| Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse | Below $242,000 | $242,000 to below $252,000 | $252,000 or more |
| Married filing separately; lived apart from spouse all year | Below $153,000 | $153,000 to below $168,000 | $168,000 or more |
| Married filing separately; lived with spouse at any time | MAGI of $0 or less* | Above $0 to below $10,000 | $10,000 or more |
*Eligible compensation is still required. Income eligibility alone does not determine your contribution amount. Within a phase-out range, use the IRS worksheet for 2026 or ask your tax preparer for the amount. [2, 3]
You also need earned income
You can contribute only what you earned from working, up to the annual limit. Wages, salary, bonuses, and self-employment earnings count. Pension payments, interest, dividends, and rental income do not, and Social Security benefits are not on the IRS list of what counts as compensation. [3]
If you are married and file a joint return, a spouse with little or no earnings may still contribute, based on the couple's combined earnings. Each spouse uses a separate IRA. [3]
There is no maximum age for contributing to a Roth IRA, as long as you have earned income and meet the income limits. [3, 4]
Where do you land? Four quick examples
These are illustrations only. Your own answer depends on your full tax picture.
| The situation | What it means |
|---|---|
| Single, age 58, still working. Earned income $62,000. MAGI $95,000. | Under $153,000, so full income eligibility. She can contribute up to $8,600, minus anything she has already put into other IRAs for 2026. |
| Retired couple filing jointly. Their income is pensions and Social Security. Nobody earns wages or self-employment income. | Their income is under $242,000, but they have no earned income, so they cannot contribute for 2026. If either spouse worked part time, that pay could qualify them. |
| Single, age 45. MAGI $160,000. | Inside the $153,000 to $168,000 range. He can contribute a reduced amount. The IRS worksheet, or a tax preparer, gives the exact figure. |
| Single, age 52. MAGI $175,000. | At or above $168,000, so no direct Roth IRA contribution this year. |
The deadline
You can make 2026 Roth IRA contributions until the tax filing deadline for 2026, not counting extensions. That is April 15, 2027 for most people. Contributions made between January 1 and that date can be assigned to either year, so tell your account company which year you mean. [3]
If you contribute too much
An excess contribution can carry a yearly penalty tax until it is corrected. This usually happens when income ends up higher than expected. A tax professional can explain how to remove the excess and any earnings on it before the deadline.
Is a Roth IRA the right kind of account for you?
Eligibility only tells you whether you may contribute. Whether you should is a different question. Here is how the two IRA types compare in plain terms. [4, 5]
| Roth IRA | Traditional IRA | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax break when you contribute | None. Contributions are not deductible. | Possibly. The deduction depends on your income and workplace plan. |
| Taxes when you withdraw | Qualified withdrawals are tax-free. | Withdrawals are generally taxed as income. |
| Required withdrawals during your life | None for the original owner. | Yes, starting at a certain age. |
| Income limit to contribute | Yes, see the table above. | No. Income limits apply only to the deduction. |
Withdrawals are tax-free only when they are "qualified." In general, the account must have been open at least five years, and the withdrawal must come after you reach 59½, because of disability, or after death. Buying a first home can also qualify, with limits. The details matter, and IRS Publication 590-B explains them. [5, 6]
Questions worth asking before you choose
- Do I expect my tax rate to be higher or lower in retirement than it is today?
- Would I rather have a tax break now, or tax-free withdrawals later?
- How would withdrawals fit alongside my Social Security, pension, and other income?
- Do I want money that I am not required to withdraw during my lifetime?
There is no one right answer for everyone. It depends on your tax situation today and what you expect later. That is a good conversation to have with your tax professional, and I am happy to talk through the retirement-planning side with you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 Roth IRA contribution limit?
$7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older by year-end. It is a combined limit for your Traditional and Roth IRA contributions.
What are the 2026 Roth IRA income limits?
For single filers and heads of household, the phase-out runs from $153,000 to $168,000 of modified AGI. For married filing jointly, it runs from $242,000 to $252,000.
Does income alone decide how much I can contribute?
No. You also need eligible compensation, and inside a phase-out range the amount is reduced. Your tax preparer can work out the exact figure.
Sources and review notes
- IRS news release IR-2025-111: 2026 contribution and income limits
- IRS Notice 2025-67
- IRS Publication 590-A: contributions to IRAs. Use "What's New for 2026" for this year's limits, because many of its worksheets and examples are for 2025.
- IRS: Roth IRAs
- IRS Publication 590-B: distributions from IRAs, including the rules for qualified Roth IRA withdrawals.
- IRS: Roth comparison chart (Roth IRA, designated Roth account, and pre-tax 401(k)). The chart shows older-year dollar amounts; use this guide for 2026 limits.
This guide covers regular direct contributions. It does not calculate partial contribution amounts or assess Roth conversions, rollovers, or every special circumstance. It is general education, not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Discuss tax decisions with your tax professional, and recheck annual limits before using it for another tax year.