If I have a sole prop that looses money but my spouse makes w2 income am I able to contribute to an IRA even though my business loses money?

[dmertz]

Since you have no compensation of your own due to not making a profit, you can make a spousal IRA contribution based on your spouse's W-2 income as long as you file a joint tax return.  The total of IRA contributions made by you and your spouse is not permitted to exceed the amount in box 1 of your spouse's W-2, minus any amount in box 11.