[Event] Ask the Experts: Tax Law Changes - One Big Beautiful Bill

Limits to deducting traditional IRA contributions depend on retirement account coverage by you and/or your spouse via an employer, as well as your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). There are no income limits to contribute to a traditional IRA, but the ability to deduct the contribution from your taxes may be limited or eliminated as your income rises. IRA contribution limits are $7,000 for those under 50 and $8,000 for those 50 and over in 2025. 

Here are the income limits for the 2025 tax year:

If you ARE covered by a retirement plan at work:

• Single, Head of Household, or Married Filing Separately (if you didn't live with your spouse):

  • Full deduction if your MAGI is $79,000 or less.

  • Partial deduction if your MAGI is between $79,001 and $89,000.

  • No deduction if your MAGI is $89,000 or more.

• Married Filing Jointly or as a Qualifying Widow(er):

  • Full deduction if your MAGI is $126,000 or less.

  • Partial deduction if your MAGI is between $126,001 and $146,000.

  • No deduction if your MAGI is $146,000 or more.

   

If you are NOT covered by a retirement plan at work, but your spouse IS covered:

• Married Filing Jointly or as a Qualifying Widow(er):

  • Full deduction if your MAGI is $236,000 or less.

  • Partial deduction if your MAGI is between $236,001 and $246,000.

  • No deduction if your MAGI is $246,000 or more.

• Married Filing Separately:
  • Partial deduction if your MAGI is less than $10,000.
    
  • No deduction if your MAGI is over $10,000.

If NEITHER you nor your spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work:

• You can take a full deduction for your traditional IRA contributions regardless of your income.

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is calculated by adding back specific items to your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI):

1. Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): This is your total income from all sources (wages, interest, dividends, capital gains, retirement income, etc.) minus specific "above-the-line" deductions. Your AGI can be found on line 11 of your Form 1040.

2. "Add-back" items for traditional IRA deduction purposes: For the purpose of calculating your MAGI to determine the deductibility of traditional IRA contributions, you must add back the following items to your AGI:

• • Student loan interest deduction

  • Excluded foreign earned income and housing exclusions

  • Foreign housing deduction

  • Excluded U.S. savings bond interest

  • Excluded employer-provided adoption benefits