For 2017, filing jointly, I had no income, spouse covered by retirement plan. What is limit on Adj. Gross Income to take full IRA deduction? How much can I contribute?

[avibhatt]

We are filing jointly, I did not have any income in 2017, and my spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work. What is the limit on Adjusted Gross Income for making an IRA contribution in my name to take a deduction? How much can I contribute for tax year 2017? 

[LisaBr · Accepted solution]

If you didn't participate in another retirement plan, but your spouse did, and you're:

• Filing jointly, the phase-out range is $186,000 – $196,000

For 2017 your total contributions to all of your traditional and Roth IRAs cannot be more than:

• $5,500 ($6,500 if you’re age 50 or older), or
• your taxable compensation for the year, if your compensation was less than this dollar limit.

Note that if your MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income)  is:

• Below the phase-out range—your entire contribution is deductible.
• Above the phase-out range—you can’t deduct anything.
• Within the phase-out range—you can make a partial deduction (TurboTax will calculate this for you).

[From:  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900757-how-much-of-my-traditional-ira-contribution-is-deductible]

Here's how to report a IRA contributions:

1.  Go to Federal, select Deductions and Credits.

2.  Select Retirement and Investments, select Traditional and Roth Contributions.

3.  From here you will follow the pages and answer the questions.  Your wife's contributions from her work will be automatically pre-filled in this area.