Wealthy PotRoth IRA & IRA Contribution Limits 2026: The Complete Guide
The 2026 IRA and Roth IRA contribution limits are set, published by the IRS in Notice 2025-67. You can now contribute up to $7,500 across your IRAs ($8,600 if you are 50 or older). But with a Roth IRA there is a second question that matters just as much: your income. This guide gives the 2026 limits, the exact income phase-out ranges that decide whether, and how much, you can contribute to a Roth, the deduction rules for a traditional IRA, and what to do if you earn too much. Every number comes straight from the IRS.
The Short Answer
For 2026, the most you can put into all your IRAs combined, traditional and Roth together, is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older (a $1,100 catch-up). Whether you can use a Roth IRA depends on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI): full contributions are allowed below $153,000 (single) or $242,000 (married filing jointly), phasing out above those points. A traditional IRA has no income limit to contribute, but whether the contribution is tax-deductible can be limited if you or your spouse have a workplace plan.
The 2026 IRA Limits
These are the 2026 IRA contribution limits from IRS Notice 2025-67, with 2025 for comparison. The limit is the combined total across all your traditional and Roth IRAs, not per account.
| Limit | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IRA contribution (under 50) | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| Catch-up (age 50+) | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| Total if 50 or older | $8,600 | $8,000 |
You have until the tax-filing deadline in April 2027 to make 2026 IRA contributions. You also need earned income at least equal to the amount you contribute.
Roth IRA Income Phase-Outs
Roth IRAs have an income ceiling. Below the phase-out range you can contribute the full amount; inside the range your limit shrinks; above it you cannot contribute to a Roth directly. The 2026 MAGI ranges are:
| Filing status | Full contribution below | Phase-out range | No Roth above |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single / head of household | $153,000 | $153,000 – $168,000 | $168,000 |
| Married filing jointly | $242,000 | $242,000 – $252,000 | $252,000 |
| Married filing separately | — | $0 – $10,000 | $10,000 |
So a single filer with MAGI under $153,000 can contribute the full $7,500 to a Roth; between $153,000 and $168,000 the allowed amount phases down; at $168,000 and above, direct Roth contributions are off the table (see the backdoor Roth below).
Traditional IRA Deduction Phase-Outs
Anyone with earned income can contribute to a traditional IRA regardless of income. The income limits only govern whether you can deduct the contribution, and they apply only if you (or your spouse) are covered by a workplace retirement plan like a 401(k). If neither of you is covered, your traditional IRA contribution is fully deductible at any income. The 2026 deduction phase-out ranges (MAGI):
| Situation | 2026 phase-out range |
|---|---|
| Single / HoH, covered by a workplace plan | $81,000 – $91,000 |
| Married filing jointly, the contributor is covered | $129,000 – $149,000 |
| Married filing jointly, only your spouse is covered | $242,000 – $252,000 |
| Married filing separately, covered | $0 – $10,000 |
Earn Too Much? The Backdoor Roth
If your income is above the Roth ceiling, there is a legal, widely-used workaround called the backdoor Roth: you contribute to a traditional IRA (which has no income limit to contribute), then convert it to a Roth. There is no income limit on Roth conversions, so this route is open at any income.
The catch is the pro-rata rule: if you already hold pre-tax money in any traditional IRA, the conversion is taxed proportionally rather than tax-free, which can make the backdoor Roth messy. It works cleanest when you have no other traditional IRA balances. This is one to run past a tax professional before executing.
FAQ
What is the Roth IRA contribution limit for 2026?
For 2026 the limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older (a $1,100 catch-up). This is the combined limit across all your traditional and Roth IRAs, and it is subject to the Roth income phase-outs.
What is the Roth IRA income limit for 2026?
You can make a full Roth contribution with MAGI below $153,000 (single) or $242,000 (married filing jointly). Contributions phase out between $153,000-$168,000 (single) and $242,000-$252,000 (joint), and are not allowed above those ranges.
What is the traditional IRA contribution limit for 2026?
The same $7,500 ($8,600 if 50+), combined with any Roth IRA contributions. There is no income limit to contribute to a traditional IRA; income only affects whether the contribution is tax-deductible if you have a workplace plan.
Can I contribute to both a Roth IRA and a 401(k) in 2026?
Yes. They are separate limits: up to $7,500 to an IRA and up to $24,500 to a 401(k) in 2026 (plus catch-ups if eligible). See our 2026 401(k) limits guide.
What if I earn too much for a Roth IRA?
Use the backdoor Roth: contribute to a traditional IRA, then convert it to a Roth. There is no income limit on conversions. Watch the pro-rata rule if you hold other pre-tax IRA money, and consider getting professional advice first.
Sources
Every figure on this page is from the IRS. Verify against IRS.gov before making retirement decisions.
- IRS Notice 2025-67: the official source for the 2026 IRA contribution limit, catch-up, and the Roth and traditional IRA income phase-out ranges.
- IRS news release IR-2025-111: the IRS summary of the 2026 IRA and 401(k) limit increases.
This article is for general education only and is not tax or investment advice. Individual situations vary and the rules are complex, especially the backdoor Roth and the pro-rata rule. Consult a qualified tax professional or IRS.gov before making decisions based on these figures.