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New Member
posted Jul 11, 2020 12:58:44 PM

I opened an IRA this year, but that reduced my federal refund. Isn't it supposed to increase it?

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1 Replies
Level 15
Jul 11, 2020 1:18:59 PM

What does the last screen in the IRA contribution interview say?  It will give the reason.

 

More  then likely your income does not allow an IRA contribution and you have a penalty for an excess contribution on a 5329 form.

 

Enter IRA contributions here:
Federal Taxes,
Deductions & Credits,
I’ll choose what I work on (if that screen comes up),
Retirement & Investments,
Traditional & Roth IRA contribution.

OR  Use the "Tools" menu  (if online version under My Account) and then "Search Topics" for "ira contributions" which will take you to the same place.

 

 

The maximum IRA contributions for 2019 is $6,000, or $7,000 if you’re age 50 or older by the end of the year; or your taxable compensation for the year which ever is less.

(Taxable compensation is generally wages that you worked for - W-2 or net self-employed income minus the deducible part of the SE tax, but can include commissions, certain alimony and separate maintenance, and nontaxable combat pay ).

See IRS Pub 590A "What is compensation" for details:
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590a#en_US_2018_publink1000230355

See this IRS link for Traditional IRA deduction limits when covered by a retirement plan at work.

https://www.irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/IRA-Deduction-Limits