IRA Contribution Deadline: April 15, 2027 for 2026 Contributions
Figures checked November 11, 2026 against primary sources
You can make 2026 traditional and Roth IRA contributions until April 15, 2027, the due date of your 2026 federal tax return. The deadline is the same for both kinds of IRA, and a filing extension does not move it. For 2026 you can put in up to $7,500, or $8,600 if you are age 50 or older.
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The Deadline for 2026 Contributions
Federal law treats an IRA contribution as made on the last day of the previous year if you make it for that year and make it "not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year (not including extensions thereof)." The same rule applies to Roth IRAs.
| Contribution for | Last day | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | Traditional IRA and Roth IRA |
| 2026, with a filing extension | Still April 15, 2027 | Traditional IRA and Roth IRA |
IRS Publication 590-A puts it this way for traditional IRAs: contributions can be made "at any time during the year or by the due date for filing your return for that year, not including extensions." It says the same for Roth IRAs. For 2026 contributions, that due date is April 15, 2027.
A SEP IRA works differently: its deadline does include extensions. See our SEP IRA contribution deadline page.
A Tax Extension Does Not Extend It
Filing Form 4868 gives you more time to file your return, not more time to fund your IRA. The law and the IRS both say the contribution deadline is the return due date "not including extensions." If you plan to file late, make the IRA deposit by April 15 anyway. See how a tax extension works.
Making a Contribution for Last Year
- Tell your provider which year. Between January 1 and April 15, a deposit could count for either year. The IRS says that if you do not tell the provider, it "can assume, and report to the IRS, that the contribution is for the current year."
- You can file first. The IRS says you can file a return claiming a traditional IRA contribution before you make it, as long as you make it by the due date.
- You need earned income, yours or your spouse's. Your total contribution cannot be more than your taxable compensation for the year, if that is less than the limit. The exception is the spousal IRA rule: if you file a joint return and your taxable compensation is less than your spouse's, your cap is the yearly limit or, if less, the total compensation of both of you, minus your spouse's own traditional and Roth IRA contributions for the year. So a spouse with little or no pay can still contribute. For a Roth IRA, the income limits below also apply.
2026 IRA Limits
| Limit | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Total to all traditional and Roth IRAs | $7,500, or your taxable compensation if less (on a joint return, a lower-earning spouse is limited by the couple's combined compensation instead) |
| Age 50 or older (includes $1,100 catch-up) | $8,600 |
| Roth phase-out, single or head of household | $153,000 to $168,000 |
| Roth phase-out, married filing jointly | $242,000 to $252,000 |
| Roth phase-out, married filing separately | $0 to $10,000 |
The limit is shared: $7,500 is the total across all your traditional and Roth IRAs, not per account. Inside the Roth phase-out range, the amount you can put in a Roth IRA shrinks. For details, see Roth IRA contribution limits 2026. This page covers 2026 limits only.
If You Put In Too Much
Excess contributions carry a 6% tax for each year they stay in the account. For a traditional IRA, the IRS says you owe it "if the excess contributions for a year aren't withdrawn by the date your return for the year is due (including extensions)." So the fix deadline does include extensions, unlike the deadline to contribute. A Roth IRA excess is also subject to the 6% tax.
Sources & Methodology
- Deadline rule: 26 U.S.C. 219(f)(3) and 26 U.S.C. 408A(c)(6). Retrieved Nov. 11, 2026.
- Deadline wording, labeling the year, filing first, excess contributions, spousal IRA rule: IRS Publication 590-A (2025), the newest edition published; the spousal rule is carried from it, the dollar limits on this page are the 2026 ones. Retrieved Nov. 11, 2026; spousal rule re-read Nov. 12, 2026.
- 2026 Form 1040 due April 15, 2027: IRS Publication 509 (2027), early-release draft. Retrieved Nov. 11, 2026.
- 2026 limits: IRS, Retirement Topics: IRA Contribution Limits (updated Sep. 23, 2026) and IRS news release IR-2025-111. Retrieved Nov. 11, 2026.
We checked the weekday against a calendar: April 15, 2027 is a Thursday, so no weekend rule applies. This page is general information, not tax advice.
FAQ
What is the Roth IRA contribution deadline for 2026?
April 15, 2027, the due date of your 2026 tax return. It is the same date for traditional IRAs.
Can I still contribute to an IRA for last year?
Yes, until the return due date. For 2026 contributions, that is April 15, 2027. Tell your provider the deposit is for 2026.
Does a tax extension give me more time to contribute?
No. The deadline is the return due date "not including extensions." A SEP IRA is different: its deadline includes extensions.
How much can I contribute for 2026?
$7,500 in total across all traditional and Roth IRAs, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older, but not more than your taxable compensation. The limit is per person. If you file a joint return and earn less than your spouse, your cap is set by the couple's combined taxable compensation, minus your spouse's IRA contributions, not by your own pay.
