IRA Contributions: Eligibility and Deadlines

As the tax-filing deadline approaches, many taxpayers contribute to a traditional IRA to lower their taxable income. If you are considering doing so, it is important to know the eligibility requirements; otherwise, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may assess an excess contribution penalty. Here are some important reminders.

To contribute to an IRA, you must first have eligible compensation. This includes wages, salaries, tips, sales commissions, taxable alimony, or maintenance payments received under a divorce decree or separation agreement. If you are self-employed (as a sole proprietor or partner), eligible compensation includes net earnings from your business, minus contributions made to any retirement plan and the deduction allowed for self-employment taxes.

Not all income qualifies. Rental income, interest, dividends, pension, or annuity income, as well as deferred compensation payments and any amounts you exclude from your income are not considered eligible compensation for IRA purposes.

If you are married and do not have eligible compensation, you may be able to make a spousal IRA contribution. Couples must file a joint tax return to take this option.

For 2019 and 2020, the maximum allowable IRA contribution is $6,000. Taxpayers at least 50 years of age in the year for which the contribution applies can also make a catch-up contribution of another $1,000.

If your eligible compensation is less than the $6,000 or $7,000 limit, then you are permitted to contribute only up to the amount you earned for the year.

Adam, a full-time college student, earned $2,000 from his part-time job in 2019. He also earned $1,500 in dividends and interest on his investments. Adam can contribute only $2,000 to his IRA for 2019 because that is the amount he earned in eligible compensation.

Previously, taxpayers who were 70½ years of age could not contribute to a traditional IRA. But as of Jan. 1, 2020, this age limit no longer applies. This greatly helps individuals save towards retirement, as people are living longer and thus working longer.

Typically, taxpayers have until the April 15 tax filing deadline to make an IRA contribution for the prior tax year. But in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the tax deadline for 2020 has been extended until July 15. This gives taxpayers an extra three months to make an IRA contribution for 2019.

Deadlines for SEP IRA contributions work a bit differently. Taxpayers can make a SEP IRA contribution as late as the due date (including extensions) of the return. So, in a typical year, if you file for a six-month extension you would have until Oct. 15 to make a contribution.

Similar to your tax return, the postmark date is considered timely. If you are sending your IRA contribution to your financial institution by mail, make sure the envelope is postmarked by the appropriate deadline.

If you are a member of the armed forces who served in a combat zone or provided qualifying services outside of a combat zone, you receive an automatic extension for making your IRA contribution. The extension is usually 180 days after one of the following:

• The last day you serve in a combat zone or complete your qualifying service outside a combat zone.
• The last day you serve in a contingency operation.
• The last day of any continuous qualified hospitalization for injury from service in either of the above.

Make sure your financial institution knows the year to which your contribution applies and ask about their documentation requirements for contributions made during your extension period.

Check to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and that you received eligible compensation for the year before you make your IRA contribution. To be sure that your contribution was deposited for the right tax year, check your account statement for the month the amount is deposited.

Financial institutions are more likely to correct processing errors if the errors are detected early. And most importantly, check with your tax and financial professional for assistance with determining whether contributing to your IRA is a good financial decision for you.