Income too high for tax deduction on Traditional IRA contribution. Spouse has retirement income only. Can spouse get traditional IRA tax deduction?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 5, 2019
1 reply
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I have earned income too high for tax dedeuction on a traditional IRA contribution. I have a retirement plan, spouse and I file joint return. Spouse only receives retirement income. Spouse does not receive any earned income, therefore, spouse as no retirement plan. Turbo Tax program shows spouse can get full tax deduction on maximum traditional IRA contribution. This doesn't seem correct. since spouse has no earned income and the combination of our income is too high. Is this correct or incorrect?

Best answer by dmertz

The modified AGI limits are different for the spouse participating in the workplace retirement plan and the spouse who does not. For 2018, although you might not be eligible for a deduction for your own IRA contribution because MAGI is above $121,000, if MAGI is $189,000 or below, your spouse is eligible for full deduction for your spouse's IRA contribution. If MAGI is $199,000 or more, no deduction is permitted. Between MAGI of $189,000 and $199,000 your spouse is eligible for a partial deduction.

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/2018-ira-contribution-and-deduction-l...