What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?

The IRA contribution limit for 2026 is $7,000 if you are under age 50, or $8,000 if you are 50 or older (includes a $1,000 catch-up contribution). This limit applies to the total of all your Traditional and Roth IRA contributions combined.

Can I deduct my Traditional IRA contribution?

It depends on your income and whether you or your spouse are covered by an employer retirement plan. If neither is covered, the full contribution is deductible at any income. If you are covered, deductibility phases out between $79,000-$89,000 (single) or $126,000-$146,000 (MFJ) for 2026.

What is a Backdoor Roth IRA and is it legal?

A Backdoor Roth IRA is a two-step strategy: contribute to a non-deductible Traditional IRA, then convert it to a Roth IRA. It is legal and widely used by high-income earners who exceed the Roth IRA income limits. The key consideration is the pro-rata rule — if you have existing pre-tax IRA balances, part of the conversion will be taxable.

Should I choose a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA?

Choose Traditional IRA if you expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement and want a tax deduction now. Choose Roth IRA if you expect to be in the same or higher bracket in retirement, want tax-free withdrawals, or want to avoid RMDs. If your income is too high for either a Roth contribution or a Traditional deduction, consider a Backdoor Roth IRA.

IRA Contribution Calculator 2026

$7,000 limit ($8,000 if 50+). Check your Roth MAGI phase-out, Traditional IRA deductibility, and Backdoor Roth option.

Check your maximum IRA contribution for 2026

Your age

Catch-up contribution available at age 50+

Filing status

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)

Your total income before IRA deduction

IRA type

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How to Use This Calculator

Tab "Your Limit"

Enter your age, filing status, MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income), and IRA type (Roth or Traditional). The calculator checks your 2026 contribution limit against the IRS phase-out ranges. For Roth IRAs, if your income falls within the phase-out range, the calculator shows your reduced contribution amount rounded up to the nearest $10. For Traditional IRAs, anyone with earned income can contribute the full amount regardless of income.

Tab "Deductibility"

This tab determines whether your Traditional IRA contribution is tax-deductible. Enter your MAGI, filing status, and whether you or your spouse are covered by an employer retirement plan (401(k), 403(b), pension, etc.). The calculator shows how much of your contribution is deductible, the non-deductible portion, and your estimated federal tax savings based on your marginal tax rate.

Tab "Backdoor Roth"

If your income is too high for direct Roth IRA contributions, use this tab to evaluate the Backdoor Roth strategy. Enter your existing Traditional IRA balance and the amount you plan to convert. The calculator checks the pro-rata rule: if you have pre-tax money in any Traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA, a proportional share of your conversion will be taxable. If your existing balance is zero, the conversion is tax-free.

The Formulas

Roth IRA Phase-Out (reduced contribution):
Reduced limit = Base limit × (Upper threshold − MAGI) ÷ (Upper threshold − Lower threshold)
Round up to nearest $10

Single/HoH: $150,000–$165,000 · MFJ: $236,000–$246,000
Below lower threshold = full contribution · Above upper threshold = $0

Traditional IRA Deductibility Phase-Out:
If covered by employer plan: Single $79K–$89K · MFJ $126K–$146K
If not covered but spouse is (MFJ): $236K–$246K
Neither covered: fully deductible at any income

Pro-Rata Rule (Backdoor Roth):
Taxable portion = Conversion amount × (Pre-tax IRA balance ÷ Total IRA balance)
Total IRA balance = Pre-tax balance + Non-deductible contribution
All Traditional, SEP, and SIMPLE IRA balances are aggregated as of December 31

Example

$155,000 MAGI — Single, Age 40, Roth IRA

MAGI$155,000

Base Roth IRA limit$7,000

Roth phase-out range (single)$150,000–$165,000

Reduction factor($165K − $155K) / ($165K − $150K) = 66.7%

Reduced limit$7,000 × 66.7% = $4,667 → $4,670 (rounded up)

Max Roth IRA contribution$4,670

At $155K MAGI as a single filer, your Roth IRA contribution is reduced from $7,000 to $4,670. If you want to get the full $7,000 into a Roth IRA, consider the Backdoor Roth strategy: contribute $7,000 to a non-deductible Traditional IRA and then convert to Roth. If you have no existing pre-tax IRA balance, the conversion is tax-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contribute to both a Traditional and Roth IRA in the same year?▼

Yes, but the combined total across all your IRAs cannot exceed the annual limit ($7,000 under 50, $8,000 if 50+). For example, you could contribute $4,000 to a Roth IRA and $3,000 to a Traditional IRA. The Roth income limits still apply to the Roth portion.

What happens if I contribute more than the limit?▼

Excess contributions are subject to a 6% penalty tax each year they remain in the account. To fix this, withdraw the excess amount plus any earnings before your tax filing deadline (including extensions). Alternatively, you can apply the excess to the following year's contribution if you are under the limit for that year.

How do I avoid the pro-rata rule for a Backdoor Roth?▼

The simplest way is to roll all pre-tax Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA balances into your employer's 401(k) plan before doing the conversion. This leaves only your non-deductible (after-tax) contribution in the Traditional IRA, making the conversion essentially tax-free. The IRS looks at your total IRA balance on December 31 of the conversion year.

What is MAGI and how do I calculate it?▼

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for IRA purposes starts with your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI from Form 1040, line 11) and adds back certain deductions: student loan interest, tuition deductions, foreign earned income exclusion, and a few others. For most W-2 employees without these items, MAGI equals AGI. Your MAGI determines your Roth IRA contribution limit and Traditional IRA deductibility.

Is there a deadline to make IRA contributions for 2026?▼

You have until your tax filing deadline (typically April 15, 2027) to make IRA contributions for the 2026 tax year. This applies to both Traditional and Roth IRA contributions. However, Roth conversions (including Backdoor Roth) must be completed by December 31, 2026 to count for the 2026 tax year.

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