IRAs have lower limits than 401(k)s but more freedom: you choose the provider and the investments. Two sets of income thresholds trip people up, one for contributing to a Roth IRA and one for deducting a traditional IRA contribution. This is Part 2 of our Retirement Accounts Decoded series, with the 2026 figures.
The limit
The IRS 2026 limit on annual IRA contributions is $7,500, up from $7,000. If you're 50 or older, a catch-up of $1,100 brings it to $8,600. The limit applies to all your traditional and Roth IRAs combined, and you can't contribute more than your taxable compensation for the year.
You have until the tax-filing deadline to contribute for a given year, not counting extensions. Publication 590-A says contributions for 2025 must be made by April 15, 2026, which means 2026 contributions can be made through April 2027.
Roth IRA income limits
You can only contribute the full amount to a Roth IRA if your modified adjusted gross income is below the phase-out range. Within the range, the amount you can contribute shrinks, and above it you can't contribute directly at all.
| Filing status | Phase-out begins | Phase-out ends |
|---|---|---|
| Single or head of household | $153,000 | $168,000 |
| Married filing jointly | $242,000 | $252,000 |
Above the limit, high earners sometimes use a backdoor Roth IRA, a legal workaround we cover separately.
Traditional IRA deduction limits
Anyone with earned income can contribute to a traditional IRA, but whether the contribution is tax-deductible depends on whether you or your spouse is covered by a workplace plan and on your income.
| Situation | Phase-out begins | Phase-out ends |
|---|---|---|
| Single or head of household, covered by a workplace plan | $81,000 | $91,000 |
| Married filing jointly, contributing spouse covered by a workplace plan | $129,000 | $149,000 |
| Married filing jointly, contributing spouse not covered, but the other spouse is | $242,000 | $252,000 |
If you're not covered by a workplace plan and neither is your spouse, there's no income limit on the deduction. These figures come from the IRS announcement of 2026 limits.
Roth withdrawals and the five-year rule
Roth IRA earnings can come out tax-free if the withdrawal is a qualified distribution. Per the instructions for Form 8606, that means it's made after the five-year period beginning with the first year for which a contribution was made to a Roth IRA, and it's made on or after age 59½, after death, because of disability, or for qualified first-time homebuyer expenses. Contributions, as opposed to earnings, generally come out first and aren't taxed again, but the rules have layers, so confirm before withdrawing.
Starting in 2027, contributions to either kind of IRA may also qualify for the new Saver's Match if your income is low enough.
Common questions
What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?
$7,500, or $8,600 if you're 50 or older. The limit applies to all your traditional and Roth IRAs combined.
What are the 2026 Roth IRA income limits?
The contribution phase-out range is $153,000 to $168,000 of modified adjusted gross income for single filers and heads of household, and $242,000 to $252,000 for married couples filing jointly.
When is the deadline to contribute to an IRA for 2026?
The due date of your 2026 tax return, not including extensions. For most people that is April 15, 2027.
Can I deduct a traditional IRA contribution?
It depends on whether you or your spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan and on your income. For 2026, the deduction phases out between $81,000 and $91,000 for single filers covered by a plan, and between $129,000 and $149,000 for joint filers when the contributing spouse is covered.
- 401(k) Basics for 2026: Limits, Catch-Ups, the Match, and Vesting
- 403(b) vs. 457(b): The Retirement Plans for Teachers, Nurses, and Public Employees
- SEP-IRA vs. SIMPLE IRA: Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed and Small Business Owners
- Required Minimum Distributions: Age, Deadlines, and the Penalty for Missing One
- Early Withdrawals From Retirement Accounts: The 10% Tax and the Exceptions
- The Saver's Match Starts in 2027: Who Qualifies, How Much You Can Get, and How to Prepare