Do employee 403(b) Roth contributions count as earned income in satisfying the earned income test for IRA contributions?

[johncros9]

It appears that Roth 403(b) contributions in included in the W2 Box 1 calculation of wages and also noted with code BB in box 12.  Can the employee Roth 403(b) contribution be used to satisfy the earned income test associated with making contributions to a outside traditional or Roth IRA. 

Said another way... Assuming no other earned income, if MFJ, can a $11K after tax employee contribution to a Roth 403(b) be used to meet the earned income test to allow additional 2x5.5k contributions to a couple's Roth IRAs?     

[Critter]

Stop thinking so hard ... the income reported on the W-2 box 1 is earned income for the  IRA contributions period, no matter what you did with it. However, depending on how much income you have, contributions to a ROTH may not be allowed and the Traditional IRA may not be deductible.  Do some reading here :  https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-li...