Ira contributions - can i first establish an ira and contribute to it before April 15, 2019 ( i don't have one yet) or does the ira have to be established before 12/31/18

[moviemike3]

i assume the only step I need to do is to make sure the custodian opens it as a 2018 contribution, correct?

[SharonC1 · Accepted solution]

You can establish and contribute to an IRA all the way until tax filing day (4/15/19) to receive the tax benefit for 2018. 

Your custodian does need to designate it as a 2018 contribution.

[moviemike3]

thank you