"This requirement that I highlighted is in section 219(c)(2) of the tax code."
Let me ask you first, does this tax code you refer to specifically say the lower earner is prohibited from contributing to the higher earner's IRA? I'll bet it does not and here's why something else I found while asking that very question on the internet
"No, it is not against the law for a lower earner to contribute to a higher earner's IRA if both individuals are below the income limits for IRA contributions, as long as the total contribution amount falls within the IRS guidelines for each individual's IRA account; essentially, each spouse can contribute to their own IRA even if one spouse earns significantly less income. "
So unless you have tax code that states unequivocally that the lower wage earner is prohibited from contributing to the higher earner's IRA, the purpose being to max out the contribution for the spouse NOT covered by a retirement plan then I maintain this is a misinterpretation by Turbotax which should be corrected before people like me are penalized. I would hate to see TT's integrity and accuracy maligned because they didn't do their due diligence.
