IRA Contribution Rules
The plain answer
Section titled “The plain answer”For 2026, you can contribute up to $7,500 across all of your Traditional and Roth IRAs combined. If you are age 50 or older by the end of the year, you can add the $1,100 catch-up contribution.
Your contribution also cannot exceed your earned income for the year. Contributions generally must be made by the federal tax filing deadline for that tax year, without extensions.
How it actually works
Section titled “How it actually works”The annual limit applies to all of your IRAs together, not to each account. For example, contributing to both a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA does not double your limit.
Earned income generally includes wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, commissions, and net earnings from self-employment. Investment income, interest, dividends, pension income, and most retirement withdrawals do not count as earned income for this rule.
Roth IRA eligibility also depends on modified adjusted gross income. For 2026, the contribution phaseout ranges are:
| Filing status | Modified adjusted gross income phaseout |
|---|---|
| Single or head of household | $153,000 to $168,000 |
| Married filing jointly | $242,000 to $252,000 |
Inside a phaseout range, the permitted Roth IRA contribution is reduced. Above the range, a direct Roth IRA contribution is not allowed. Traditional IRA deduction limits are separate from the contribution limit.
What this means for you
Section titled “What this means for you”Before contributing, add up every IRA contribution you have made for 2026, confirm that you have enough earned income, and check whether your income limits direct Roth IRA contributions. If you use more than one brokerage, each provider may not know what you contributed elsewhere.
When making a contribution near the filing deadline, tell the provider which tax year the contribution is for. Keep the confirmation with your tax records.
Common mistakes
Section titled “Common mistakes”- Contributing $7,500 to a Traditional IRA and another $7,500 to a Roth IRA.
- Counting investment income as earned income.
- Adding the age-50 catch-up contribution before becoming eligible.
- Missing the Roth IRA income phaseout.
- Assuming a tax filing extension also extends the IRA contribution deadline.
- Selecting the wrong tax year when submitting a contribution.
Related pages
Section titled “Related pages”Educational content, not personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. No affiliate relationships. Figures are for tax year 2026 and change annually.Read the full disclaimer.