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

[qofmiwok]

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  

[dmertz · Accepted solution]

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).