I have $1300 in pension and $600 in interest and dividend. No W2, If I make an IRA contribution my federal tax owed goes up, why

[SweetieJean]

You need earned income from working to make a IRA contribution.

[DanaB]

Pension and interest are not considered compensation, therefore, you are not allowed to make contributions to an IRA and most likely pay tax for excess contributions.

For 2018, 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.

To avoid the excess contributions tax:

• withdraw the excess contributions from your IRA by the due date of your individual income tax return (including extensions); and
• withdraw any income earned on the excess contribution.