The 2026 numbers advisors need on hand.
Thursday, April 15, 2027 is the deadline to open and/or make 2026 contributions to Traditional and Roth IRAs. Tax filing extensions generally do not extend this deadline.
Most clients will need to depend more on personal savings for retirement than previous generations did. With fewer employer-sponsored pensions and Social Security funding a smaller portion of retirement income, consistent contributions to IRAs and workplace retirement plans (WRPs) such as 401(k), 403(b), SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs can help close that gap. The contribution and deductibility limits outlined below explain how much clients may be able to contribute to Traditional and Roth IRAs in 2026.
Who Can Contribute
A client may contribute to an IRA if they, or their spouse if filing jointly, have compensation earned from working.
For IRA contribution purposes, the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) generally defines compensation as the amount reported in Box 1 of Form W-2. Compensation includes wages, salaries, tips, professional fees, bonuses, nontaxable combat pay, taxable non-tuition fellowship and stipend payments, and taxable alimony or separate maintenance payments. The alimony provision applies only to divorce or separation instruments executed on or before December 31, 2018, provided they have not been amended to exclude these amounts.
Compensation does not include earnings and profits from property, such as rental, interest, or dividend income; pension or annuity income; deferred compensation; income from certain partnerships; or amounts excluded from income, such as foreign earned income and housing costs (combat pay excepted).
Contributions must be made in cash, check, or money order. In-kind contributions of securities or property are not permitted.
2026 Traditional and Roth IRA Contribution Limits
Two figures to confirm with every client- A client can contribute to an IRA regardless of age, as long as they, or their spouse if filing jointly, have compensation.
- The total contributions to all of a client’s Traditional and Roth IRAs are aggregated. Total contributions cannot exceed the annual limit for the client’s age or 100% of compensation, whichever is less.
- A client can contribute to a Traditional IRA even if they do not qualify for the deduction.
- Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are never deductible.
- A client can contribute to an IRA and a WRP in the same year. Contributing to both can help increase retirement savings.
Traditional IRA Deductibility Limits
A full deduction is available regardless of income when neither the client nor, if married, their spouse is covered by a WRP. When WRP coverage applies, deductibility phases out based on filing status and Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).
| Single | Married Filing Jointly | Married Filing Separately2 | Deduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $81,000 | Under $129,000 | Under $0 | Full |
| $81,000 – $91,000 | $129,000 – $149,000 | $0 – $10,000 | Partial |
| Over $91,000 | Over $149,000 | Over $10,000 | None |
When Only One Spouse Is Covered by a WRP
The deductibility limit for the spouse not covered1 by a WRP is based on filing status and MAGI:
| Married Filing Jointly | Married Filing Separately2 | Deduction |
|---|---|---|
| Under $242,000 | Under $0 | Full |
| $242,000 – $252,000 | $0 – $10,000 | Partial |
| Over $252,000 | Over $10,000 | None |
Roth IRA Contribution Eligibility
A client can contribute to a Roth IRA if they are at or under the MAGI limits below, based on filing status:
| Single | Married Filing Jointly | Married Filing Separately2 | Contribution Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $153,000 | Under $242,000 | Under $0 | Full |
| $153,000 – $168,000 | $242,000 – $252,000 | $0 – $10,000 | Partial |
| Over $168,000 | Over $252,000 | Over $10,000 | None |
Important: Roth IRA contributions are never deductible. The table above reflects the contribution amount permitted based on MAGI, not whether a deduction is available.
2026 QCD Limits
Two QCD figures for 2026The maximum a client can direct from an IRA to qualified charities in 2026 while excluding the distribution from taxable income.
A one-time lifetime election that counts toward the annual QCD limit in the year the client makes it.
The lifetime one-time split-interest election counts toward the annual QCD limit in the year the election is made.
- A client is covered by a WRP if the “Retirement Plan” box in Box 13 of their W-2 is checked.
- If a client did not live with their spouse at any time during the tax year, their filing status for IRA contribution purposes is treated as single.
About the Author
Cathleen Davis-Whitmore is Chief Marketing Officer and IRA SME at Financial Cloud Works, known as The IRA Oracle. She specializes in helping financial professionals navigate IRA contribution, distribution, and beneficiary planning rules.
A client-ready reference covering the key IRA milestones from age 50 through RMD Age and beyond — contribution windows, distribution rules, QCD eligibility, and the planning conversations that belong at each stage.
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