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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For 2026, you can contribute up to $7,500 to traditional and Roth IRAs combined, or $8,600 if you are age 50 or older. Your actual Roth contribution may be lower—or zero—because of your taxable compensation, contributions already made to any IRA, and Roth IRA modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). The income limits depend on your filing status.
2026 Roth IRA income limits by filing status
The IRS reduces the amount you can contribute directly to a Roth IRA as MAGI moves through the applicable phase-out range. At or above the top of that range, you cannot make a direct Roth contribution for that year. These are MAGI thresholds, not gross salary limits; Roth IRA MAGI can differ from the AGI on your tax return. See the IRS Publication 590-A (2025) and the 2025-49 Internal Revenue Bulletin for the 2026 figures and calculation rules.
| Filing status or circumstance | 2026 Roth MAGI range | Direct Roth contribution at or above |
|---|---|---|
| Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse | $242,000–$252,000 | $252,000 |
| Single or head of household | $153,000–$168,000 | $168,000 |
| Married filing separately; did not live with spouse at any time during 2026 | $153,000–$168,000 | $168,000 |
| Married filing separately; lived with spouse at any time during 2026 | $0–$10,000 | $10,000 |
If your MAGI falls inside your range, your limit is reduced rather than automatically set to zero. Use the applicable IRS maximum Roth contribution worksheet to calculate the allowed amount; do not estimate it by applying a simple percentage to your income.
How much can you contribute in 2026?
The 2026 IRA cap is $7,500, plus an additional $1,100 catch-up contribution for people age 50 or older, for a maximum of $8,600. The cap is shared across traditional and Roth IRAs; it is not a separate allowance for each account. The maximum is also subject to compensation and Roth income eligibility rules. The IRS announced the 2026 amounts in 2025, increasing them from the 2025 limits. IRS Publication 590-A (2025) gives the applicable limits.
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| Tax year | Under age 50 | Age 50 or older | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $7,500 | $8,600, including the $1,100 catch-up | IRS Publication 590-A (2025) |
| 2025 | $7,000 | $8,000, including the $1,000 catch-up | IRS Publication 590-A (2025) |
These are annual IRA ceilings, not workplace-plan deferral limits. For a specific year, check the IRS’s IRA contribution limits guidance.
What can reduce your personal limit?
Your allowable contribution is constrained by the annual cap, taxable compensation, any contributions already made to traditional or Roth IRAs, and—if contributing to a Roth—the MAGI phase-out. Apply the relevant limit for the tax year, not the calendar year in which you happen to make the payment.
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- Compensation: You generally need taxable compensation, and your contribution cannot exceed the compensation available under the applicable rules.
- All IRAs count together: Traditional and Roth IRA contributions share one annual cap. For example, if you contribute $3,000 to a traditional IRA in 2026, no more than the remaining $4,500 of the under-50 cap is available for Roth contributions, before applying compensation and MAGI restrictions.
- Age: The higher catch-up ceiling applies if you are age 50 or older. The IRS worksheet accounts for age and other limits.
- Roth MAGI: A phase-out may reduce the direct Roth amount even when you have enough compensation and unused annual IRA room.
The IRS’s IRA contribution limits guidance explains compensation and combined IRA limits; use the Publication 590-A worksheet to work through the calculation.
Can a spouse contribute if they have no income?
Often, yes. Under the spousal IRA rule, a spouse with little or no individual compensation may be able to contribute based on the couple’s compensation when they file a joint return. The couple’s combined IRA contributions cannot exceed their taxable compensation reported on that joint return, and each spouse remains subject to the applicable IRA limits and Roth income rules. The IRS outlines the rule in its IRA contribution limits guidance.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhen can you make a contribution?
You can generally make a contribution for a tax year during that year or by the due date of that year’s federal income tax return, without extensions. For example, the usual deadline for making a 2025 contribution was April 15, 2026, according to IRS Publication 590-A (2025). Deadlines for later tax years should be checked against current IRS guidance.
What if you contribute too much?
An excess Roth IRA contribution may be subject to a 6% excise tax. The rules provide ways to correct some excesses, but the timing, treatment of related earnings, and reporting depend on the situation and tax year. Do not assume that withdrawing the amount at any time avoids tax.
- Check the applicable tax year’s Publication 590-A to identify the excess and available correction rules.
- Review the current Instructions for Form 5329 for excise-tax calculations and reporting.
- Check the relevant Instructions for Form 8606 where Roth IRA reporting or related tax treatment applies.
Because deadlines and earnings treatment can affect the result, use the instructions for the tax year involved or consult a qualified tax professional.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Contribution limits are not withdrawal rules
The annual limit determines how much may go into an IRA; it does not decide whether a later withdrawal is tax-free. The IRS generally treats a Roth distribution as qualified when it is made after the five-year period beginning with the first year of a contribution, conversion, or qualifying rollover, and a qualifying condition is met: reaching age 59½, death, disability, or qualified first-time-homebuyer expenses. See the Instructions for Form 8606 (2025) for distribution context.
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Check these details before contributing
- Tax year: Identify the year for which the contribution is intended and use that year’s limits and deadline.
- Age: Determine whether the age-50 catch-up applies.
- Filing status: For married filing separately, establish whether you lived with your spouse at any time during the year.
- Roth MAGI: Compare MAGI calculated under Roth IRA rules with the phase-out interval for your status.
- Compensation: Confirm there is enough taxable compensation under the applicable individual or spousal rules.
- Existing IRA contributions: Add all traditional and Roth IRA contributions for the year before deciding how much room remains.
The IRS worksheet in Publication 590-A brings these factors together. A contribution’s tax treatment is also distinct from its eligibility: Roth contributions are not deductible, while qualified distributions are governed by separate rules.
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