Roth IRA contribution rules and limits
Here are some of the most important rules and contribution limits to help you get the most out of your Roth IRA. Visit IRS.gov for more details.
Contribution limits
For the 2024 and 2025 tax years, you can contribute the lesser of $7,000 or your earned income. If you’re 50 or over, you can contribute a total of $8,000 (or up to your earned income) for 2024 and 2025. If you contribute to both a traditional and a Roth IRA, your total contributions cannot exceed your contribution limit.
Spouse contributions
Your spouse can also contribute if you have sufficient combined earned income. For instance, if you’re both under 50, you and your spouse could each contribute up to $7,000 for the 2024 and 2025 tax years if your combined earned income is at least $14,000. (If you’re both over 50, the higher limits would apply.)
Age restrictions
Roth IRAs have no age restrictions for contributions. You are not required to take withdrawals from your Roth IRA during your lifetime.
Spouse beneficiaries may conduct a spousal transfer into their own Roth IRA where they will have to follow the distribution rules as if the funds had been originally theirs. Another option is for your spouse beneficiary to open an inherited Roth IRA. They will need to start taking distributions based on their own life expectancy. A third option is to open an inherited Roth IRA using the 10-year method. No distributions are required during years one through nine, however; all money needs to be distributed by Dec. 31 of the 10th year following death. Finally, your spouse beneficiary can take a lump sum distribution that will not have contributions be taxed, nor will earnings assuming the Roth IRA was more than five years old when you (the original account owner) died.
Generally, a non-spouse beneficiary must distribute the full inherited Roth IRA by Dec. 31 of the 10th year following the year of the owner’s death.
Higher income restrictions
There are income restrictions to be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA:
- For a Roth IRA, single filers must have a Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) under $146,000 for 2024 and under $150,000 for 2025. Contributions would be reduced on a sliding scale between $146,000 and $161,000 for 2024 and between $150,000 and $165,000 for 2025.
- Married couples filing jointly must have MAGI between $230,000 and $240,000 in 2024 and between $236,000 and $246,000 in 2025 to qualify for a Roth IRA, with contributions reduced on a sliding scale. See more on Roth IRA income restrictions.
When to make contributions
Contributions can be made to your Roth IRA at any time during the calendar year, and as late as the due date for filing your tax return (which is usually on or around April 15 of the following year).
Contributions: Lump sum or throughout the year?
You can make contributions as a lump sum, or periodically. You can also set up an automatic purchase plan that withdraws a set amount of money each month from your bank account and invests it in the mutual fund or funds of your choice within your IRA account.
Conversions
Conversions are subject to penalty if withdrawn before five years since the conversion have passed and if you are under 59½.
401(k) plan
If you already have a (401k) plan or another type of retirement plan at work (such as a pension, profit-sharing SIMPLE or SEP plan), you can contribute to a Roth IRA if you are under the income ceiling.