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Level 2
posted Feb 12, 2022 9:29:42 PM

SEP-IRA limit is calculating incorrectly? TurboTax says I over contributed and am subject to a penalty, but the amount is only 18% of my income. Please fix this.

I am a sole proprietor contributing for myself.

0 5 3710
1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Feb 13, 2022 5:42:46 AM

The calculation is correct. According to the IRS, the deduction limit for self-employed individuals is first reduced by the deductible half of the self-employment tax and also by the SEP contribution before getting to the income amount that is multiplied by 25% to determine your maximum contribution.

 

If you made $100,000 from self-employment, less your deductible half of self-employment tax leaves you with $92,350. Now you have to do some circular math to determine your maximum deduction, but it turns out to be about $18,470 maximum deduction leaves your deduction limited to 25% of $73,890.

 

If you take it from the number you start with, as @fanfare stated, it is about 18.47% of your net income before any deductions. This is your SEP limit for self-employed individuals. 

 

@lmarsha1

5 Replies
Level 15
Feb 13, 2022 3:21:23 AM

The amount is 18 % of your net income, after expense deductions.

Level 2
Feb 13, 2022 4:42:14 AM

Yes, and the limit of SEP-IRA contributions is supposed to be 25% of net income or $61,000, whichever is less. So with my 2021 contribution being 18% and well under $61,000, TurboTax is incorrectly telling me it is too high. 

Level 15
Feb 13, 2022 5:23:57 AM

The proprietor (owner) cannot contribute 25%.

Your limit is around 18.3%.

you should stay below that or you will have an excess contribution into your SEP.

Expert Alumni
Feb 13, 2022 5:42:46 AM

The calculation is correct. According to the IRS, the deduction limit for self-employed individuals is first reduced by the deductible half of the self-employment tax and also by the SEP contribution before getting to the income amount that is multiplied by 25% to determine your maximum contribution.

 

If you made $100,000 from self-employment, less your deductible half of self-employment tax leaves you with $92,350. Now you have to do some circular math to determine your maximum deduction, but it turns out to be about $18,470 maximum deduction leaves your deduction limited to 25% of $73,890.

 

If you take it from the number you start with, as @fanfare stated, it is about 18.47% of your net income before any deductions. This is your SEP limit for self-employed individuals. 

 

@lmarsha1

New Member
Mar 5, 2023 3:41:20 PM

 @lmarsha1 Did you find a work around? I'm having the same problem.