Roth IRA Contribution Limits 2026: Income Phase-Outs Included
Quick answer
The Roth IRA contribution limit for 2026 is $7,500, or $8,600 including the $1,100 catch-up for savers aged 50 and over, up from $7,000 and $8,000 in 2025. The same limit covers traditional IRAs. Single filers phase out between $153,000 and $168,000 of income; married couples filing jointly between $242,000 and $252,000.
IRA contribution limits and income phase-outs, 2026 vs 2025
| Limit or phase-out | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IRA contribution limit (Roth and traditional combined) | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| Catch-up contribution, age 50 and over | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| Maximum contribution at 50+ | $8,600 | $8,000 |
| Roth IRA phase-out, single and head of household | $153,000 to $168,000 | $150,000 to $165,000 |
| Roth IRA phase-out, married filing jointly | $242,000 to $252,000 | $236,000 to $246,000 |
| Roth IRA phase-out, married filing separately | $0 to $10,000 | $0 to $10,000 |
| Traditional IRA deduction phase-out, single covered by a workplace plan | $81,000 to $91,000 | $79,000 to $89,000 |
| Traditional IRA deduction phase-out, married filing jointly, contributor covered | $129,000 to $149,000 | $126,000 to $146,000 |
| Traditional IRA deduction phase-out, married filing jointly, spouse covered | $242,000 to $252,000 | $236,000 to $246,000 |
| Traditional IRA deduction phase-out, married filing separately, covered | $0 to $10,000 | $0 to $10,000 |
The Roth IRA contribution limits for 2026 moved on both fronts: the contribution cap rose from $7,000 to $7,500, and the catch-up rose for the first time in years, from $1,000 to $1,100, thanks to SECURE 2.0 indexing. The table above also carries the wider IRA contribution limits for 2026, because Roth and traditional IRAs share a single cap, and the traditional side has its own set of deduction phase-outs once a workplace plan is involved. All figures are the IRS's published numbers from Notice 2025-67, with 2025 alongside for comparison.
Three quirks catch people out. First, the phase-out is based on modified adjusted gross income, and inside the range your allowance shrinks proportionally rather than vanishing at once. Second, a non-working spouse can still get the full $7,500 through a spousal IRA, provided the couple files jointly and the working spouse earns at least the combined contributions. Third, for those above the phase-out entirely, the backdoor Roth (a non-deductible traditional contribution converted to Roth) exists as a recognised route, though its mechanics deserve their own page.
How the Roth IRA stacks up against its pre-tax sibling is covered in Roth IRA vs traditional IRA, and the case for which account to fund first is in Roth IRA vs 401(k). The workplace side of the ledger, including the $24,500 deferral cap and the new Roth catch-up rule for higher earners, lives in 401(k) contribution limits for 2026. The rest of our US coverage is at /us/articles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum I can contribute to my Roth IRA for 2026?
$7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older by the end of 2026. Two conditions apply: your contribution cannot exceed your taxable compensation for the year, and your income must sit below the phase-out range, which starts at $153,000 for single filers and $242,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Can I contribute to a Roth IRA if I make $200,000 a year?
It depends on your filing status. A single filer on $200,000 is above the $168,000 cut-off and cannot contribute directly. A married couple filing jointly with $200,000 of combined income is comfortably below the $242,000 phase-out start and can each contribute the full $7,500 for 2026.
Can I contribute to both a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA?
Yes, but they share one limit. Your combined contributions to both types cannot exceed $7,500 for 2026, or $8,600 at age 50 and over. It is a single pot of IRA allowance you can split however you like, not a separate limit for each account.
Can I contribute to both a Roth IRA and a 401(k)?
Yes, and the limits are completely separate: up to $24,500 of 401(k) deferrals plus up to $7,500 into a Roth IRA for 2026. Having a workplace plan never blocks Roth IRA contributions. Only your income does, via the phase-out ranges, which apply regardless of whether you have a 401(k).
What happens if I contribute too much to a Roth IRA?
Excess contributions are taxed at 6% per year for every year they remain in the account. You avoid the excise tax by withdrawing the excess and any earnings on it before the due date of your tax return, including extensions. The withdrawn earnings are taxable in the year you earned them.
What is the backdoor Roth IRA limit for 2026?
The same $7,500, or $8,600 at 50 plus. There is no separate backdoor limit: the route is simply a non-deductible traditional IRA contribution followed by a Roth conversion, used by people above the income phase-out. The contribution feeding it is bound by the ordinary IRA limit.
What is the deadline for 2026 IRA contributions?
The federal tax-filing deadline in April 2027. IRA contributions for a tax year can be made right up to the due date of that year's return, not including extensions, so the 2026 window runs about fifteen and a half months. Contributions made in early 2027 should be flagged to your broker as prior-year.
Sources
General information, not financial advice. Tax rules and figures can change; check the current position on irs.gov or ssa.gov before acting.