Annual Thresholds

2026 IRA Contribution Limits

For the 2026 tax year, the IRS has maintained the base contribution limit for Traditional and Roth IRAs at $7,000. This applies to your total contributions across all IRAs you own.

Age GroupTotal IRA LimitCatch-up Provision
Under Age 50$7,000N/A
Age 50 and Older$8,000+$1,000

Combined Limit: If you have both a Roth and a Traditional IRA, the $7,000 limit is shared between them. You cannot contribute $7,000 to each.

Eligibility Rules

Roth IRA Income Limits 2026

Your ability to contribute directly to a Roth IRA depends on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) and your tax filing status. If your income exceeds certain thresholds, your contribution limit is reduced or eliminated.

Filing StatusFull ContributionPartial (Phase-out)
Single / Head of HouseholdBelow $150,000$150,000 – $165,000
Married Filing JointlyBelow $236,000$236,000 – $246,000
Married Filing SeparatelyN/A$0 – $10,000

Traditional IRA Deductibility

Anyone with earned income can contribute to a Traditional IRA, regardless of how much they make. However, the tax deduction is subject to income limits if you or your spouse are covered by a retirement plan at work.

Single Filers

$81K

Full deduction if covered by work plan and MAGI is below this.

Married (Joint)

$129K

Full deduction if covered by work plan and MAGI is below this.

If neither you nor your spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan, your Traditional IRA contribution is fully tax-deductible regardless of your income.

Advanced Strategy

The Backdoor Roth IRA Strategy

If your income is too high to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, you can use the "Backdoor" method. This involves making a non-deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA and then converting it to a Roth IRA.

Pro-Rata Rule: If you have existing pre-tax money in any Traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRAs, the IRS requires you to convert those funds proportionally with your new non-deductible funds, which could result in a tax bill.

SECURE 2.0 & Catch-up Changes

Thanks to the SECURE 2.0 Act, the $1,000 catch-up limit for those age 50 and older is now indexed for inflation. While it remains $1,000 for 2026, it may increase in future years in $100 increments.

Starting in 2026, if you earned more than $145,000 (indexed) in the previous year, your catch-up contributions to employer plans must be made to a Roth account.

IRA Frequently Asked Questions

You have until the tax filing deadline, typically April 15, 2027, to make contributions for the 2026 tax year.

Yes, you can contribute to both. However, your ability to deduct Traditional IRA contributions or contribute directly to a Roth IRA may be limited based on your income.

No. The SECURE Act removed the age limit for Traditional IRA contributions. As long as you have earned income, you can contribute regardless of age.

Earned income includes wages, salaries, tips, professional fees, bonuses, and self-employment income. It does not include interest, dividends, or social security benefits.

Data Sources & Citations
  • IRS Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
  • IRS Notice 2024-80: COLA Adjustments for 2026
  • Social Security Administration: National Average Wage Index