Federal Filing Status with roth as part of 403(b)

[jk928]

I've seen that if either spouse contributes to a Roth IRA, we cannot federal file Married Filing Separately. We mut file Married Filing Jointly. My wife has a 403(b) and had the opportunity to begin contributing to a Roth within the 403(b).  I've also seen that a 403(b) is NOT considered an IRA. Does the same federal filing restriction still apply to the 403(b) with a Roth in it, or can we file Married Filing Separately?  Thank you !!!

[dmertz · Accepted solution]

"I've seen that if either spouse contributes to a Roth IRA, we cannot federal file Married Filing Separately."

There is no such limitation.  You are confusing this with a spousal IRA contribution using one spouse's compensation to support the contribution of the other spouse who has lower compensation, which requires filing jointly.

A 403(b) is not an IRA and is not subject to any IRA rules.  Only the employee and the employer can contribute to the 403(b).  There is no such thing as a spousal contribution to a 403(b) as there can be with IRAs.