You can make an IRA contribution if you received a W-2. Income reported on a W-2 is qualifying compensation for an IRA contribution. The IRS defines compensation as generally "what you earn from working," including "Wages, salaries, tips, professional fees, bonuses, and other amounts you receive for providing personal services are compensation. The IRS treats as compensation any amount properly shown in box 1 (Wages, tips, other compensation) of Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, provided that amount is reduced by any amount properly shown in box 11."
Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
