Federal Filing Status with roth as part of 403(b)

jk928 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 04:46:45 GMT

I've seen that if either spouse contributes to a Roth IRA, we cannot federal file Married Filing Separately. We mut file Married Filing Jointly. My wife has a 403(b) and had the opportunity to begin contributing to a Roth within the 403(b). I've also seen that a 403(b) is NOT considered an IRA. Does the same federal filing restriction still apply to the 403(b) with a Roth in it, or can we file Married Filing Separately? Thank you !!!

Re: Federal Filing Status with roth as part of 403(b)

dmertz — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 01:49:43 GMT

"I've seen that if either spouse contributes to a Roth IRA, we cannot federal file Married Filing Separately."

There is no such limitation. You are confusing this with a spousal IRA contribution using one spouse's compensation to support the contribution of the other spouse who has lower compensation, which requires filing jointly.

A 403(b) is not an IRA and is not subject to any IRA rules. Only the employee and the employer can contribute to the 403(b). There is no such thing as a spousal contribution to a 403(b) as there can be with IRAs.

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Federal Filing Status with roth as part of 403(b)

Re: Federal Filing Status with roth as part of 403(b)