Spousal IRA

[KLR2022]

If I don’t work but my husband does how much can I contribute annually to a spousal Roth IRA? 

[DoninGA]

For 2023, the total contributions you make each year to all of your traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs can't be more than: $6,500 ($7,500 if you're age 50 or older), or. If less, your taxable compensation for the year.

[Andrew_W · Accepted solution]

Hi @KLR2022,

Commonly known as a Spousal IRA, in the case of only one spouse having earned income, both are still able to fund IRAs up to the applicable limits. In essence, the working spouse funds IRAs for both themselves and the non-working spouse.

For 2023, IRA contribution limits are $6,500 for each individual ($7,500 if 50 or older). This article has more details about Spousal IRAs: Can I Make Spousal IRA Contributions for Retirement? 

[dp4444]

How do I input a spousal IRA contribution into TurboTax? I don't see any option for doing it. I am using the Deluxe edition for desktop.

[DoninGA]

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@dp4444 wrote:

How do I input a spousal IRA contribution into TurboTax? I don't see any option for doing it. I am using the Deluxe edition for desktop.

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You enter it as an IRA contribution from your spouse on the page with your name and their name for IRA contributions

To enter a IRA contribution -

Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
Click on Deductions and Credits
Click on I'll choose what I work on (if shown)
Scroll down to Retirement and Investments
On Traditional and Roth IRA Contributions, click the start or update button

[DavidD66]

To enter the IRA contribution for your spouse on a joint tax return, use the following steps:

• Form TurboTax Online, lick on Search (or for TurboTAx Desktop (CD/download) locate the search box in the upper right corner)
• Type in “IRA contributions” and click the magnifying glass (or for CD/downloaded TurboTax, click Find)
• Click on the blue “Jump to IRA contributions” link 

On the first screen in this section, check the boxes for the type of IRA accounts that you have for both you and your spouse.  Then Continue through the section and answer the questions.  The program will guide you through entering your spousal IRA contribution.

[dp4444]

There's no option for a spousal IRA though. Following the steps you mentioned, I can only add a contribution made to an IRA for myself, not a spousal IRA.

[VolvoGirl]

Are you filing a Joint return and entered your spouse under My Info?  

[Saltzman55]

Having the same issue trying to enter a spousal IRA contribution for my spouse, who is not in a qualified retirement plan and has no earned income.  I am in a qualified retirement plan and have sufficient income to fund the spousal IRA for her.  My modified adjusted gross income is under $240,000 and I should be allowed a deduction for her spousal IRA, but Turbo Tax says I am not allowed the deduction.  Everything I have read from the IRS and other sources says that I should be allowed a deduction for her spousal IRA since my income is below the threshold for her spousal IRA.  I am not contributing to an IRA, only want a spousal IRA for her. Any suggestions?

[RachelW33]

I would like to take a deeper look at this. However, I need a diagnostic file which is a copy of your tax return that has all of your personal information removed. You can send one to us by following the directions below:

TurboTax Online:

1. Sign into your online account.
2. Locate the Tax Tools on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. A drop-down will appear. Select Tools
4. On the pop-up screen, click on “Share my file with agent.”
5. This will generate a message that a diagnostic file gets sanitized and transmitted to us.
6. Please provide the Token Number that was generated in the response.

TurboTax Desktop/Download Versions:

1. Open your return.
2. Click the Online tab in the black bar across the top of TurboTax and select “Send Tax File to Agent” *
3. This will generate a message that a diagnostic copy will be created.  Click on OK and the tax file will be sanitized and transmitted to us.
4. Please provide the Token Number  (including the dash) that was generated in the response.

*(If using a MAC, go to the menu at the top of the screen, select Help, then, “Send Tax File to Agent”)

 @Saltzman55