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Level 1
posted Mar 9, 2022 3:33:40 PM

IRA deduction if no earned income and filing jointly

I am retired with no earned income (just Social Security) for 2021 and did not have to take a RMD for 2021. My wife was employed in 2021 and made the max 403b contribution for the year. We are filing jointly. Can I make a deductible contribution to my IRA, even though I have no earned income for the year? TurboTax leads me to believe that I can, I am just checking.

Thanks in advance.

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1 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 9, 2022 3:50:29 PM

Yes, if one spouse has eligible compensation, that spouse can fund an IRA for the non-employed spouse as well as their own IRA provided the couple files a joint federal income tax return.  Traditional and Roth IRAs have the same contribution limits but different eligibility requirements. Each spouse's IRA must be held separately. IRAs cannot be held jointly.   

 

7 things you may not know about IRAs.