Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 & How to Get Around The Roth IRA Income Limit
JW
Last updated 03/28/2024 by
Jessica WalrackRoth IRA is an individual retirement account that allows you to set aside a specified amount of after-tax income each year and earn interest on it.
After you turn 59 1/2, you can withdraw your savings and earnings tax-free. Each year, the amount you can contribute is updated, along with other specifications of the account.
Who can contribute? Anyone can open a Roth IRA provided they have earned income for the year, and their earnings are under the IRS-imposed phaseout limits,” explains Ryan Repko, MBA, Financial Advisor at Ruedi Wealth Management, Inc.
“The Roth IRA phaseout limits are relatively high,” he adds, “so the vast majority of Americans can contribute to a Roth IRA.”
But the big question is, how much money can you put into a Roth IRA each year? Here’s everything you need to know about Roth IRA contribution limits straight from financial experts across the U.S.
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Roth IRA contribution limits for 2019
Repko says, “According to IRS Notice 2017-64, the Roth IRA contribution limits for 2019 increased by $500 from 2018. If you are less than 50 years old, you can contribute up to $6,000 per year and, if you’re 50 or older, you can contribute $7,000 per year.”
Here’s a look at how the contribution and income limits have changed over the years:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roth IRA Contribution Limit | $6,000 | $6,000 | $5,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| Roth IRA Contribution Limit if 50 or over | $7,000 | $7,000 | $6,500 | $6,500 | $6,500 | $6,500 |
| Traditional IRA Contribution Limit | $6,000 | $6,000 | $5,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| Traditional IRA Contribution Limit if 50 or over | $7,000 | $7,000 | $6,500 | $6,500 | $6,500 | $6,500 |
| Roth IRA Income Limits (for single filers) | Phase-out begins at $124,000; no longer eligible at $139,000 | Phase-out begins at $122,000; no longer eligible at $137,000 | Phase-out begins at $120,000; no longer eligible at $135,000 | Phase-out begins at $118,000; no longer eligible at $133,000 | Phase-out begins at $117,000; no longer eligible at $132,000 | Phase-out begins at $116,000; no longer eligible at $131,000 |
| Roth IRA Income Limits (for married filers) | Phase-out begins at $196,000; no longer eligible at $206,000 | Phase-out begins at $193,000; no longer eligible at $203,000 | Phase-out begins at $189,000; no longer eligible at $199,000 | Phase-out begins at $186,000; no longer eligible at $196,000 | Phase-out begins at $184,000; no longer eligible at $194,000 | Phase-out begins at$183,000; no longer eligible at $193,000 |
What happens if you put too much in Roth IRA? You may be subject to additional fees and attention from the IRS.
What are the contribution limits?
Find the limits in the chart above. Repko explains, “If you are married and filing jointly on your tax return, and your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $193,000, then you can contribute the full amount ($6,000 per year for those under 50, and $7,000 per year for those who are 50 or older).
But this contribution amount phases out over the next $10,000 of MAGI. If your MAGI is above $203,000, you cannot contribute to a Roth IRA at all. If your income lies somewhere in between, you can contribute to a Roth IRA, but not the full amount.”
He adds, “If you file a single tax return, and your MAGI is less than $122,000, then you can contribute the full amount ($6,000 per year for those under 50 years old, and $7,000 per year for those 50 and older), but you are phased out from making a contribution at $137,000.”
Since 2018, the limits have increased by $2,000 for single filers, and by $4,000 for those who are married filing jointly.
2019 contribution limits for a Roth IRA and traditional IRA combined
You may be wondering how much you can contribute to a Roth IRA and traditional IRA combined.
Repko explains, “The contribution limits are the same for a traditional and a Roth IRA, and any combination of contributions to both accounts is subject to the same limits.
For example, if a person under the age of 50 contributes $4,000 to their traditional IRA, they can only contribute $2,000 to their Roth IRA for that tax year, because their combined contributions cannot exceed $6,000.”
Traditional IRA income limits
There are no income limits on traditional IRA accounts. However, your MAGI (modified AGI) determines if your contributions are tax-deductible.
See the chart below for the 2019 limits:
| Filing Status | 2019 Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) | 2018 | Deduction Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Filers | $64,000 or less | $63,000 or less | 100% deduction |
| $64,001 to $74.000 | $63,001 to $72,999 | Partial deduction | |
| $74,000 | $73,000 or more | No deduction | |
| Married Filing Jointly | $103,000 or less | $101,000 or less | 100% deduction |
| $103,001 to $123,000 | $101,001 to $120,999 | Partial deduction | |
| $123,000 or more | $121,000 or more | No deduction | |
| Married Filing Separately | Not eligible | Not eligible | 100% deduction |
| $9,999 or less | $9,999 or less | Partial deduction | |
| $10,000 or more | $10,000 or more | No deduction | |
| Those with spouses who earn no income | $193,000 or less | $189,000 or less | 100% deduction |
| $193,000 to $203,000 | $189,001 to $198,999 | Partial deduction | |
| $203,000 or more | $199,000 or more | No deduction |
When is the Roth IRA contribution deadline?
“You can contribute to a Roth IRA any time throughout the year and have it count for that year. Also, you have until tax day to make a contribution to a Roth IRA and still have it count for the previous year. For example, you have until April 15, 2020, to make your Roth IRA contribution and still have it count for 2018,” says Repko.
How to work around the Roth IRA income limit
Can you still reap the benefits of a Roth IRA account if your income is higher than the Roth IRA limits? Yes, you can.
According to Matthew Stewart — CFP®, ChFC®, President and wealth advisor at Forestview Financial Partners — there is a workaround.
“High-income earners can indirectly contribute by using the Backdoor Roth IRA contribution. First, you make a ‘non-deductible’ contribution to a traditional IRA,” says Stuart. Next, he says, you immediately convert it to a Roth IRA (since there isn’t an income limit on traditional IRAs or conversions).
“The conversion makes the most sense when all of your IRA money consists of after-tax contributions. That way, it isn’t taxable,” adds James Robert Schramm, financial advisor at Schramm Financial Group.
You may be wondering, is this legal?
Stewart explains, “Before the passage of the new tax reform law, tax professionals and advisors worried that, at some point, the IRS would disallow or ‘unwind’ these transactions,” Stuart explains, “arguing that this two-step process violates what’s known as the ‘step transaction doctrine.’
However, Congress included four footnotes in the Conference Committee Report explanation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which essentially bless these transactions.”
There are several important details about this conversion such as the deadlines and tax implications, so it is best to discuss it with a financial expert.
IRA conversion reversals
If you have an interest in converting traditional IRA funds into a Roth IRA, beware of the rules.
Henry Stimpson, APR at Stimpson Communications says, “You no longer have the option of waiting until October of the following year to decide whether to reverse IRA conversions. As of 2019, any conversion is irrevocable.”
Stewart explains, “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repealed the ability for a taxpayer to ‘recharacterize’ a previously converted Roth IRA. Before, taxpayers were able to undo a previous Roth conversion if they changed their minds.
Now, once you decide on a conversion, you are stuck with it.”
Stimpson adds, “It’s important to ensure you understand the tax consequences of a conversion and are comfortable with them. For many people, it will make sense to wait until year-end to decide whether to convert IRA assets.
There was much more flexibility before, making conversions more of a win-win proposition. Now, if you convert and the value of your investments drop, or the conversion pushes you into a higher tax bracket, there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Are there liquidity constraints on the money in your Roth IRA account?
Yes and no.
Stephen C. Bene, financial advisor and co-founder of Beneficial Wealth, explains, “The one little-known fact is that the IRS does allow you to access whatever you’ve put into your Roth IRA without penalty.
But to access the growth on your contributions tax-free and penalty-free, your Roth IRA must be open for at least five years, and you must be at least 59 ½.
He adds, “The ability to access what you contribute to a Roth IRA is one of the major differences between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA. With a traditional IRA, you can’t take out what you contributed before you turn 59 ½, without a penalty and taxes due.
However, once you withdraw money from a Roth IRA, you can’t pay it back. You forever forfeit your ability to grow the money you distributed on a tax-free basis.”
Should you invest in a Roth IRA account?
Roth IRA accounts offer many benefits and can be a nice boost to your retirement.
Stimpson advises, “You should invest Roth IRA contributions aggressively. Assets in the account are tax-free, so you’re better off holding conservative investments in other types of accounts.
By investing aggressively, your Roth IRA can grow for the long-term. This will boost your retirement and possibly leave more for your heirs.”
FAQ on Roth IRA
Who can contribute to Roth IRA?
Anyone can open a Roth IRA provided they have earned income for the year, and their earnings are under the IRS-imposed phaseout limits.
How much can you contribute to a Roth IRA in 2019?
The annual Roth IRA limit is $6,000 in 2019, up from $5,500 in 2018 (if you’re 50 or older, you get to add $1,000 to those amounts). The maximum Roth contribution amount applies to all of your traditional and Roth IRAs, combined.
Can you contribute to a Roth IRA if you are retired?
Contributions to Roth IRAs can be made throughout your retirement as long as you’re earning enough income. Contributions to a Roth IRA grow tax-free, and they can be withdrawn at any time to pay for unforeseen expenses, such as medical costs.
Can you contribute to a Roth IRA without earned income?
You must earn money to open any IRA. If your only income is from unearned sources, such as investments, you cannot contribute to an IRA. You must get paid wages, a salary, tips, professional fees or bonuses.
Is Roth IRA tax deductible?
Unlike 401(k) or traditional IRA contributions, Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible. According to the Roth IRA funding rules established by the IRS, all your contributions must be made with after-tax dollars.
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JW
Jessica Walrack is a personal finance writer at SuperMoney, The Simple Dollar, Interest.com, Commonbond, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, Guardian, Personalloans.org and many others. She specializes in taking personal finance topics like loans, credit cards, and budgeting, and making them accessible and fun.
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