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Level 2
posted Jan 14, 2025 7:35:15 PM

how much can i contribute to an IRA

Can I contribute $14K ($7K to my IRA and another $7K for my wife's IRA) with this scenario? if not, what is the maximum we can contribute?

 

This is combined for both of us:

 $34,000 gross earnings

-$24,000 401K contribution

-$3,000 Social Security and Medicare tax ( I did not withhold Fed and state tax, will pay that using est tax form)

 $7,000 net pay

 

My goal is to maximize the contribution our retirement accounts.

0 3 4434
1 Best answer
Level 15
Jan 14, 2025 9:52:59 PM

The combined IRA contributions are limited to the amount in box 1 of the W-2.  That appears to be $10,000, so there would be $4,000 of excess contribution if $7,000 was contributed to each spouse's IRA.  However, if the 401(k) contribution was to a designated Roth account in the 401(k), that contribution would not reduce the box-1 amount, making $34,000 available to support IRA contributions.

3 Replies
Level 15
Jan 14, 2025 8:15:00 PM

The IRA contribution cannot be more than your earned income with a maximum contribution of $7,000 for each if under age 50. That’s the sum of your incomes in Box 1 of your W-2 forms. 

Level 15
Jan 14, 2025 9:52:59 PM

The combined IRA contributions are limited to the amount in box 1 of the W-2.  That appears to be $10,000, so there would be $4,000 of excess contribution if $7,000 was contributed to each spouse's IRA.  However, if the 401(k) contribution was to a designated Roth account in the 401(k), that contribution would not reduce the box-1 amount, making $34,000 available to support IRA contributions.

Level 2
Jan 15, 2025 10:28:16 AM

the 401K contributions were roth, that means we can still contribute $7K each in our IRA. Thanks.