topic Why $5,000 to iBonds on MFJ, Form 8888, when FS PUBLICATION 0039 (TreasuryDirect.gov) allows $5,000/person/year? in Retirement tax questions

Why $5,000 to iBonds on MFJ, Form 8888, when FS PUBLICATION 0039 (TreasuryDirect.gov) allows $5,000/person/year?

scottw4cpa — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:05:18 GMT

Re: Why $5,000 to iBonds on MFJ, Form 8888, when FS PUBLICATION 0039 (TreasuryDirect.gov) allows $5,000/person/year?

Critter-3 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 03:43:49 GMT

Sorry ... the program is correct ... read the instructions again ... $5000 per return is the max not per person:

Part II
You may request up to three different savings bond registrations. However, each registration must be a multiple of $50, and the total of lines 4, 5a, and 6a can’t be more than $5,000 (or your refund amount, whichever is smaller).

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8888

Re: Why $5,000 to iBonds on MFJ, Form 8888, when FS PUBLICATION 0039 (TreasuryDirect.gov) allows $5,000/person/year?

Critter-3 — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 03:50:42 GMT

Also see here : https://treasurydirect.gov/indiv/research/faq/faq_irstaxfeature.htm

Using Your Income Tax Refund to Buy Paper Savings Bonds

The Series I savings bond is the only savings bond available in paper form, and it can be purchased only through this program.

(Series I bonds also are available in electronic format, in TreasuryDirect. This page addresses paper I bonds only.)

What do I need to do?

When you file your tax return, include IRS Form 8888. Complete Part 2 to tell the IRS you want to use part (or all) of your refund to purchase paper I bonds. Purchase amounts must be in $50 multiples and you can choose to have any remaining funds delivered to you either by direct deposit or by check. You do not need to open a TreasuryDirect account; just follow the instructions on the form. Once your tax return has been processed by the IRS, your paper savings bonds will be mailed to you.

How much can I buy?

In any single calendar year, you can buy up to a total of $5,000 of paper I bonds using your refund. You buy I bonds at face value, meaning if you pay $50 (using your refund), you receive a $50 savings bond.

Re: Why $5,000 to iBonds on MFJ, Form 8888, when FS PUBLICATION 0039 (TreasuryDirect.gov) allows $5,000/person/year?

rjs — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 04:03:44 GMT

My guess is that it's just careless wording, or an outright error, in FS Publication 0039. It seems to not take joint returns into account. The maximum has been $5,000 per return since the program started in 2010. FS Publication 0039 is just informational. It's not the official rules. Form 8888 and its associated instructions are the official rules.

You would have to ask the Bureau of the Fiscal Service why their Q&A publication is wrong.