Can my wife write a check to a traditional IRA that's in my name and we can get the tax break associated with IRA contributions? We file married jointly.

[philserve]

On the Federal Review page, Turbotax tells me I can contribute X dollars (and no tax break), but my wife can contribute 5 times as much and we get the tax break. Or is it only the person whose name is on the IRA can contribute to that IRA for the tax break?

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

Yes.

Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA Limit

For 2016, if you file a joint return and your taxable compensation is less than that of your spouse, the most that can be contributed for the year to your IRA is the smaller of the following two amounts:

1. $5,500 ($6,500 if you are age 50 or older), or

2. The total compensation includible in the gross income of both you and your spouse for the year, reduced by the following two amounts.

   1. Your spouse's IRA contribution for the year to a traditional IRA.

   2. Any contributions for the year to a Roth IRA on behalf of your spouse.

This means that the total combined contributions that can be made for the year to your IRA and your spouse's IRA can be as much as $11,000 ($12,000 if only one of you is age 50 or older or $13,000 if both of you are age 50 or older).

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590a/ch01.html#en_US_2016_publink1000230412