How much can be contributed to a spouse's IRA?
If spouses file a joint return and have taxable compensation, both spouses can contribute to their own separate IRAs.
If married and filing a joint federal income tax return, one spouse may use the earned income of the other spouse to meet the earned income eligibility requirement to contribute to an IRA. When a spouse’s earned income is used to meet the earned income requirement, the annual contribution is often referred to as a “spousal contribution.”
Each spouse must establish and make contributions to their own IRA (Traditional or Roth, if eligible). The total combined contributions that can be made for the year to your IRA and your spouse’s IRA cannot exceed your joint taxable income or two times the annual contribution limits, whichever is less. It doesn’t matter which spouse earned the income.
For more information on spousal contributions, Roth IRA income limits and Traditional IRA deductibility see:
- IRS Retirement Topics - IRA Contribution Limits
- IRS Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
- Annual Contribution Limits