Contribution Requirements for ROTH and Traditional IRAs in 2022

There are lots of rules and regulations around who can contribute, how much they can contribute, to which type of IRA, when they can make the contributions and if the contribution is tax deductible or not.  We set out to write this article to answer those questions for tax year 2022.

To make any contributions to an IRA, either you or your spouse must have at least as much earned income as you want to contribute.

Assuming you have the earned income, the combined contribution limit for both types of IRA’s is $6,000 or $7,000 for those 50 or older ($1,000 catch up contribution).  The limit is split between ROTH and Traditional, meaning you could do $6,000 in one or $3,000 in each.  Or any combination in between.  There are also separate income limits for each plan type.

If you make more than $144,000 as a single individual or more than $214,000 married filing joint, you cannot contribute to a ROTH IRA.  If you make between $129,000 and $144,000 filing singly, you can only contribute a prorated percentage of the annual maximum.  And similar for between $204,000 and $214,000 for married couples filing jointly.  If you make less than $129,000 as a single individual or less than $214,000 married filing jointly, you can contribute the full $6,000 to a ROTH IRA.

There is no income limit on contributions to a traditional IRA. HOWEVER, there may be a limit on the tax deduction of a traditional IRA.

• If neither you, nor your spouse have access to a qualified plan at work, such as a 401(k), 403(b) or 457, there are no income maximums for deducting contributions.
• If your spouse has access to a retirement plan at work, but you do not, your ability to deduct begins to phase out between $109,000 – $129,000.
• If you have access to a retirement plan at work, your ability to deduct begins to phase out between $68,000 – $78,000.

If you are outside the income ranges for deducting a traditional IRA, it is probably better to either contribute to your qualified plan at work or ROTH IRA.  If that is not an option for you, as of the time if this writing, the back door ROTH is still a viable option.  This is simply contributing to a traditional IRA, not getting the deduction, then converting the traditional IRA to ROTH.  There are some nuances with the back door ROTH, and it may soon be legislated away.

A contribution to either a ROTH or Traditional IRA must be made before the tax filing deadline of the following year.  For example, to contribute for the tax year 2021, the contribution must be made prior to April 18, 2022.  Make sure if you are contributing in the next calendar year, you mark your contribution for the previous tax year.  If you do this incorrectly you may cause yourself some problems.

There are always questions that are not easily answered by an internet article. If we did not answer your question, give us a call or email and we can help.  If it is a more complicated question, lets schedule a time for a call to review your personal financial plan.