Can Roth 401k + catch up contributions be more than earned income?

qofmiwok — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:01:23 GMT

My earned income is $22k, leaving $20,445 after 1/2 SE tax. TT is allowing me to put $26,445 into Roth 401k's including the catch-up contribution. Is it really okay to go higher than the earned income of $22,000?

Thanks

Re: Can Roth 401k + catch up contributions be more than earned income?

dmertz — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:43:09 GMT

The total additions to your 401(k) are not permitted to exceed your net earnings, $20,445 in this case. TurboTax only enforces the overall elective deferral (section 402(g)) limitations, not the earnings-based total additions (section 415(c)(1)(B)) limitation. You'll have to enforce that limitation yourself by limiting your total additions to $20,445.

Note that your Roth 401(k) contributions don't get reported anywhere on your filed tax return (except, perhaps, in conjunction with a Retirement Savings Contributions Credit on Form 8880). Overcontributing does potentially disqualify the 401(k).

topic Can Roth 401k + catch up contributions be more than earned income? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Can Roth 401k + catch up contributions be more than earned income?

Re: Can Roth 401k + catch up contributions be more than earned income?