2026 IRA contribution limits: You can contribute up to $7,000 to a Traditional or Roth IRA in 2026. If you're age 50 or older, the catch-up contribution allows you to contribute up to $8,000 total.
Roth IRA income limits: Single filers with modified AGI below $150,000 can contribute the full amount. The phase-out range is $150,000-$165,000 for singles and $236,000-$246,000 for married filing jointly.
The deadline to make 2026 IRA contributions is April 15, 2027.
The IRS sets annual contribution limits for Individual Retirement Accounts. These limits apply to the combined total of all your Traditional and Roth IRA contributions.
Account Type
Under Age 50
Age 50 and Older
Traditional IRA
$7,000
$8,000
Roth IRA
$7,000
$8,000
Combined Limit (All IRAs)
$7,000
$8,000
Catch-Up Contribution (50+)
N/A
$1,000
! Important:
The $7,000 limit is your combined total across all IRAs. You cannot contribute $7,000 to a Traditional IRA and another $7,000 to a Roth IRA in the same year.
Contribution Requirements
To contribute to an IRA for 2026, you must have:
Earned income - wages, salaries, tips, self-employment income, or taxable alimony
Contributions limited to earned income - if you earned $5,000, your maximum contribution is $5,000
Age requirement removed - since 2020, there is no age limit for IRA contributions as long as you have earned income
Roth IRA Income Limits 2026
Unlike Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs have income limits that determine whether you can contribute directly. Your ability to contribute depends on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) and filing status.
Filing Status
Full Contribution
Phase-Out Range
No Direct Contribution
Single / Head of Household
Below $150,000
$150,000 - $165,000
Above $165,000
Married Filing Jointly
Below $236,000
$236,000 - $246,000
Above $246,000
Married Filing Separately
N/A
$0 - $10,000
Above $10,000
How the Phase-Out Works
If your income falls within the phase-out range, your contribution limit is reduced proportionally. Here's how to calculate your reduced limit:
Example: Single Filer with $157,500 MAGI
Calculate how far into the phase-out range: $157,500 - $150,000 = $7,500
Divide by the phase-out range: $7,500 / $15,000 = 0.50 (50%)
Reduce contribution limit by this percentage: $7,000 x 0.50 = $3,500 reduction
Maximum Roth contribution: $7,000 - $3,500 = $3,500
i Backdoor Roth IRA:
If your income exceeds the Roth IRA limits, you can still get money into a Roth through the "backdoor" strategy: contribute to a non-deductible Traditional IRA, then convert it to a Roth. Use our Roth Conversion Calculator to analyze the tax impact.
Traditional IRA Deduction Limits 2026
Anyone with earned income can contribute to a Traditional IRA, but your ability to deduct contributions depends on your income and whether you or your spouse are covered by a workplace retirement plan (like a 401(k)). Your marginal tax bracket determines how much the deduction saves you.
If You Are Covered by a Workplace Retirement Plan
Filing Status
Full Deduction
Partial Deduction
No Deduction
Single / Head of Household
$79,000 or less
$79,000 - $89,000
Above $89,000
Married Filing Jointly
$126,000 or less
$126,000 - $146,000
Above $146,000
Married Filing Separately
N/A
$0 - $10,000
Above $10,000
If Your Spouse Is Covered (But You Are Not)
If you are not covered by a workplace plan but your spouse is:
Full deduction: Combined MAGI of $236,000 or less
Partial deduction: Combined MAGI between $236,000 and $246,000
No deduction: Combined MAGI above $246,000
If Neither Spouse Is Covered by a Workplace Plan
If neither you nor your spouse participates in a workplace retirement plan, you can deduct your full Traditional IRA contribution regardless of income.
+ Non-Deductible Contributions:
Even if you cannot deduct your contribution, you can still make non-deductible contributions to a Traditional IRA. The earnings grow tax-deferred, and you only pay taxes on the earnings when withdrawn (contributions come out tax-free).
Changes from 2025 to 2026
The IRS adjusts IRA limits annually based on inflation. Here's what changed for 2026:
Limit Type
2025
2026
Change
IRA Contribution Limit
$7,000
$7,000
No change
Catch-Up Contribution (50+)
$1,000
$1,000
No change
Roth MAGI Limit (Single)
$150,000 - $165,000
$150,000 - $165,000
No change
Roth MAGI Limit (MFJ)
$236,000 - $246,000
$236,000 - $246,000
No change
Note: IRA limits remained flat from 2025 to 2026 due to inflation adjustments not reaching the threshold for an increase. The IRS adjusts limits in $500 increments when cumulative inflation justifies a change.
Key Deadlines for 2026 IRA Contributions
Deadline
Date
Notes
First day to contribute for 2026
January 1, 2026
Start contributing early to maximize growth
Last day to contribute for 2026
April 15, 2027
Tax filing deadline (or extension date)
Excess contribution correction
April 15, 2027
Deadline to withdraw excess without penalty
Recharacterization deadline
October 15, 2027
With tax extension; allows changing contribution type
i Contribute Early:
Contributing early in the year gives your money more time to grow tax-advantaged. A January contribution has 15+ more months to compound compared to an April deadline contribution.
Strategies to Maximize Your IRA Contributions
1. Contribute Early and Often
Set up automatic monthly contributions to reach the $7,000 limit. Contributing $583.33 per month maximizes your tax-advantaged growth throughout the year.
2. Use the IRA and 401(k) Together
You can contribute to both an IRA and a 401(k) in the same year. The optimal order:
This approach captures employer match, provides more investment options through the IRA, and maximizes tax-advantaged space. See our IRA vs 401(k) comparison guide for a detailed breakdown of when to prioritize each account.
3. Consider Spousal IRA Contributions
If your spouse has little or no earned income, you can contribute to a "spousal IRA" based on your earned income. This allows married couples to save up to $16,000 total in IRAs ($14,000 under 50).
4. Choose Between Roth and Traditional
Choose Roth if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, want tax-free withdrawals, or value no RMD requirement
Choose Traditional if you need the tax deduction now, expect lower retirement income, or are in a high tax bracket currently. Our Roth vs Traditional comparison covers this decision in detail
5. Use Backdoor Roth for High Earners
If your income exceeds Roth limits:
Contribute $7,000 to a non-deductible Traditional IRA
Convert the Traditional IRA to Roth (ideally immediately)
Pay tax on any gains between contribution and conversion
Warning: The "pro-rata rule" complicates this if you have existing Traditional IRA balances. Consult a tax professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?
The IRA contribution limit for 2026 is $7,000 for both Traditional and Roth IRAs. If you're age 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution, bringing your total limit to $8,000. This limit is the combined total for all your IRAs.
What is the Roth IRA income limit for 2026?
For 2026, single filers can contribute the full amount to a Roth IRA if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is below $150,000. Contributions phase out between $150,000 and $165,000. For married filing jointly, the phase-out range is $236,000 to $246,000.
Can I contribute to both a Traditional and Roth IRA?
Yes, you can contribute to both in the same year, but your total contributions cannot exceed the annual limit ($7,000 in 2026, or $8,000 if age 50+). For example, you could contribute $4,000 to a Traditional IRA and $3,000 to a Roth IRA.
What is the deadline for 2026 IRA contributions?
The deadline for 2026 IRA contributions is April 15, 2027 (the tax filing deadline). You can make contributions for 2026 starting January 1, 2026 through April 15, 2027.
What if I exceed the Roth IRA income limit?
If your income exceeds the Roth IRA limit, you have several options: contribute to a Traditional IRA instead, use the backdoor Roth IRA strategy, or maximize your 401(k) contributions which have no income limits.
Plan Your Retirement Contributions
Use our retirement calculators to project your savings growth and optimize your contribution strategy.