# Roth IRA Contribution Limits 2026

> Put up to $7,500 in a Roth IRA for 2026, or $8,600 at 50 and older, if your income fits. Check the income phase-out ranges and the April 15, 2027 deadline.

Canonical: https://christianbrinkleync.com/guides/roth-ira-contribution-limits-2026

## Quick answer

For 2026 you can contribute up to $7,500 to a Roth IRA, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older by December 31. The limit is shared across all your IRAs, and your income has to fit under the phase-out ranges. You have until April 15, 2027 to contribute for 2026.

## The 2026 limits

The IRA limit for 2026 is $7,500 if you are under 50, and $8,600 if you are 50 or older, which includes a $1,100 catch-up. The limit applies per person, not per account, and it covers all your traditional and Roth IRAs combined. You also need at least that much taxable compensation for the year. The figures come from IRS Notice 2025-67, published November 13, 2025.

## The income phase-outs

Your ability to contribute directly to a Roth IRA depends on modified adjusted gross income. For single filers and heads of household, the full contribution is available below $153,000, it shrinks between $153,000 and $168,000, and no direct contribution is allowed at $168,000 or more. For married couples filing jointly, the range is $242,000 to $252,000. Married filing separately has a $0 to $10,000 range. The IRS worksheet in Publication 590-A works out the exact reduced amount.

## What to do if your income is too high

If your income is above the phase-out, a direct Roth IRA contribution is not allowed. Some people contribute to a traditional IRA and then convert it, which is often called a backdoor Roth IRA. That path has its own rules, including the pro-rata rule if you hold other pre-tax IRA money. It also creates a taxable event in the year of the conversion. This is educational information, not tax advice. Talk with a tax professional before using it.

## 2026 Roth IRA limits and phase-outs

| Your situation | The 2026 limit |
| --- | --- |
| Under 50 | $7,500 |
| 50 or older | $8,600 |
| Single, full contribution | Modified AGI below $153,000 |
| Single, phased out | No direct contribution at $168,000 or more |
| Joint, full contribution | Modified AGI below $242,000 |
| Joint, phased out | No direct contribution at $252,000 or more |

## Checklist

- [ ] Confirm your taxable compensation covers the amount you plan to contribute.
- [ ] Check your modified AGI against the phase-out range for your filing status.
- [ ] Remember the $7,500 covers all your IRAs combined, not each one.
- [ ] Note the deadline: April 15, 2027 for 2026 contributions.
- [ ] If you already contributed and your income came in too high, ask a tax professional about fixing it before the deadline.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I contribute to a Roth IRA and a 401(k) in the same year?

Yes. The IRA and 401(k) limits are separate, so a 401(k) does not reduce your Roth IRA limit. Your income still has to fit the Roth phase-out.

### Is there an age limit for Roth IRA contributions?

No. There is no maximum age. You need taxable compensation, and your income has to fit the phase-out ranges.

### Does the limit apply per account or per person?

Per person. The $7,500 or $8,600 is the total across every traditional and Roth IRA you own.

## Sources

- [IRS: 2026 limits (IR-2025-111)](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500)
- [IRS: IRA contribution limits](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits)
- [IRS: Roth IRAs](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/roth-iras)

## Related

- [Backdoor Roth IRA steps](https://christianbrinkleync.com/guides/backdoor-roth-ira-steps)
- [The Roth IRA five-year rule](https://christianbrinkleync.com/guides/roth-ira-five-year-rule)
- [Roth IRA, explained](https://christianbrinkleync.com/wealth/roth-ira-explained)

---

Educational content only, not financial or tax advice. Published by Christian Brinkley, christianbrinkleync.com.