Can there a tax benefit in making a deposit into my IRA?

[dennisoliviawalsh]

I am retired and want to make a deposit into my IRA and claim it as a deduction in my 2023 tax return.

[VolvoGirl]

No you can't make a IRA contribution unless you have earned income like W2 wages or a Net Profit from self employment.   

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

First, you must have "compensation" -- usually this is income from working, either W-2 wages or schedule C self-employment.  There are a few other odds and ends that count as compensation, see publication 590-a, Table 1-1.

If you are married, you can use your spouse's compensation to qualify to make an IRA contribution, up to the total amount of compensation.  For example, the IRA contribution limit is $7500 for persons over age 50.   If your spouse had $10,000 of compensation and contributed $6000 to an IRA, you could contribute a maximum of $4000.

If you are eligible, and if you make a contribution to a traditional (pre-tax) IRA, the contribution reduces your taxable income.  How much that will actually save you depends on your overall income, deductions, and other tax situations.