Roth IRA contributions

[Sarahkgo]

I am currently “retired” (at 32, medical from the military), but I receive compensation from the VA and bank stocks. I’m in school, not working, and non of my income is taxable. Am I allowed to contribute to a Roth IRA while technically unemployed? I can’t find any information about this in the tax codes.

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

No.   You must have taxable "compensation" - money that you worked for in most cases.   This is explained in detail in IRS Pub 590A.

"What is compensation".

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590a#en_US_2018_publink1000230355

What Is Compensation?

Generally, compensation is what you earn from working. For a summary of what compensation does and doesn’t include, see Table 1-1. Compensation includes all of the items discussed next (even if you have more than one type).

Wages, salaries, etc.

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 (Nonqualified plans). Scholarship and fellowship payments are compensation for IRA purposes only if shown in box 1 of Form W-2.

Commissions.

An amount you receive that is a percentage of profits or sales price is compensation.

Self-employment income.

If you are self-employed (a sole proprietor or a partner), compensation is the net earnings from your trade or business (provided your personal services are a material income-producing factor) reduced by the total of:

• The deduction for contributions made on your behalf to retirement plans, and

• The deduction allowed for the deductible part of your self-employment taxes.

Compensation includes earnings from self-employment even if they aren’t subject to self-employment tax because of your religious beliefs.

Self-employment loss.

If you have a net loss from self-employment, don’t subtract the loss from your salaries or wages when figuring your total compensation.

Alimony and separate maintenance.

For IRA purposes, compensation includes any taxable alimony and separate maintenance payments you receive under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance.

Nontaxable combat pay.

If you were a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, compensation includes any nontaxable combat pay you received. This amount should be reported in box 12 of your 2018 Form W-2 with code Q.