My contribution to my Simple IRA was postmarked April 10 but Schwab claims they received it on the 17th and have posted it as a 2019 contribution. What can I do?

[lloydr]

My contribution to my Simple IRA was postmarked April 10 but Schwab claims they received it on the 17th and have posted it as a 2019 contribution. I get different answers from IRS, Schwab and the web about postmark date versus received date. My federal taxes were filed and accepted on the 6th. I'm a sole proprietor and am the only one on the Simple IRA plan. I've asked Schwab to repost the deposit and they said the IRS won't allow that.

[Anonymous]

you will have to amend 2018.  however, since Schwab is treating it as a 2019 contribution, you don't have an excess contribution for 2018.  

[Zbucklyo]

Ultimately, it is up to the IRA custodian.

[lloydr]

I am the IRA custodian, as well as the only person on the plan. Schwab claims I can't change the contribution year after the 15th. IRS says I have to ask a tax preparer because they aren't allowed to talk about tax law (?).

[Zbucklyo]

Sorry, I meant Schwab who has physical custody of the assets

[lloydr]

Ah, gotcha. I have calls and emails in to various Schwab people to try to get it fixed, but if they stick with their original answer will I have to file amended federal and state returns, withdraw the contribution as an "excess" contribution and pay penalties and interest as well as more tax because I can't take the IRA deduction?

[macuser_22]

Never make contributions close to the due date.  *Most* financial institutions have conditions spelled out in the account agreement you signed that say that new deposits will take 3-5 business days to post and the posting date is the year of the contribution (weekends and holidays do not count in the 3-5 days).

(The IRA custodian is the finaniclal institution that holds the IRA - you are the account owner, not the custodian).

[fanfare]

the only way a last minute contribution works is if you visit office in person, or do it online and check the proper radio button for the prior year. On April 16th that button will disappear.