Traditional IRA Deduction

sdbenj61 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:20:13 GMT

I'm doing our 2023 tax return, filing jointly. I have a question about my husband's eligibility for a deductible traditional IRA. Turbotax is indicating that he can contribute the max $7500 to a traditional IRA and it would be fully deductible. However, he doesn't have any earned income so I don't understand how that's possible. He's retired and receives social security and a small pension only. (I do have earned income from wages & K-1 income but I plan to contribute the max $7500 to a Roth IRA for 2023.) I am not recovered by a retirement plan at work. I've always assumed that even if you're filing a joint return, the spouse contributing to the deductible IRA had to have earned income. So is Turbotax making a mistake by allowing the deduction for my husband or is my assumption wrong and he actually can do a deductible traditional IRA because I have earned income???

Re: Traditional IRA Deduction

MarilynG1 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 02:15:47 GMT

Yes, your spouse is eligible to make a deductible IRA spousal contribution, even if they have no earned income.

You're correct, it's because you have earned income, and no retirement plan at work.

Here's more info on Spousal IRA's.

Re: Traditional IRA Deduction

sdbenj61 — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 18:56:24 GMT

Thank you!

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Traditional IRA Deduction

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