How do I enter a SPOUSAL ira contribution? One person is wage earner, filing taxes jointly, under IRS rules spouse can also make a contribution.

[stpageler]

Turbo Tax states rules that allows for this but doesn't seem to include the option in their software. I shouldn't have to pay extra to make them away of this issue.

[AnnetteB6]

You are correct in that a spousal IRA contribution is allowed even if the spouse did not have income reported on a joint return.  

To enter the IRA contribution for your spouse on a joint tax return, use the following steps:

• On the top row of the TurboTax online screen, click on Search (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax locate the search box in the upper right corner)
• This opens a box where you can type in “IRA contributions” and click the magnifying glass (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax, click Find)
• The search results will give you an option to “Jump to IRA contributions”
• Click on the blue “Jump to IRA contributions” link 

On the first screen in this section, check the boxes for the type of IRA accounts that you have for both you and your spouse.  Then Continue through the section and answer the questions.  The first series of questions will pertain to the person listed first on the tax return and then they will repeat for the person listed second on the tax return.

[skh7000]

This didn't answer the question. Turbotax is not letting us enter as Spousal contribution option.

[MarilynG]

Can you clarify what issue you are having?

When you are in the Retirement Contributions topic under Deductions & Credits, the first screen asks you to indicate the type of IRA contribution and for whom (screeenshot)

Then there is a series of screens asking first about the Taxpayer's contribution; then the same questions for the Spouse's contribution.  Continue until you reach 'Your IRA Deduction Summary'. 

Click this link for more info on How to Enter IRA Contributions. 

@skh7000

[skh7000]

Yes, I went through all those steps and then it says I do not have enough earned income and adds on a 6% tax.

I contribute every year to my Roth IRA this has never happened.

I'm a stay at home mom/part time teacher.

[AnnetteB6]

Just to clarify, when you are entering the information into TurboTax for a spousal IRA, you are indicating that both you (John, for example) and your spouse (Jane, for example) are contributing to an IRA.  

This is not doubling the contribution to either John's or Jane's IRA, the actual contributions must also be made to John's and Jane's IRA as stated in TurboTax.  However, it is doubling the deduction if you are making a deductible Traditional IRA contribution.

@CC029 

[CC029]

From what I now understand, what I previously posted was wrong. In order to avoid confusion, I deleted the text of the post. 

Sorry and good luck to all!

[JulieS]

Yes, a spouse with no earned income can contribute to an IRA based on the earned income of the other spouse. 

This is not an additional IRA contribution, because the spouse with no earned income is not allowed to make a regular IRA contribution, just the spousal IRA contribution. 

So each of you can contribute up to $6000  ($7000, if over 50) for 2022.