IRA Contribution Calculator
How Much You Can Put In Depends on Age, Income, and Account Type
IRA contribution limits aren't a single flat number. The IRS sets a base cap, adds a catch-up allowance once you turn 50, caps the contribution at whatever you actually earned in wages that year, and — for a Roth IRA specifically — phases the limit down or to zero once income rises above a set range. This calculator applies all four rules together for the current tax year so the result reflects what you're actually allowed to contribute, not just the headline limit.
The Formula
Allowed Contribution = MIN(Max Limit, Earned Income)
[Roth only] If MAGI is within the phase-out range, the limit is reduced proportionally and rounded up to the nearest $10
For 2025, the base limit is $7,000 and the catch-up for age 50 and older is $1,000, for a maximum possible contribution of $8,000.
Where This Calculation Matters
- Avoiding excess contributions — contributing more than the allowed limit triggers a 6% excise tax on the excess each year it remains in the account.
- High-income Roth eligibility — the Roth phase-out range determines whether a direct Roth contribution is even possible, which is when a backdoor Roth strategy typically comes into play.
- Part-year or low earned income — because the limit is capped at earned income, someone who earned only $4,000 in wages can't contribute more than $4,000, regardless of the IRS cap.
- Catch-up planning near 50 — knowing the exact date the higher limit applies helps time year-end contributions.
2025 IRA Contribution Limits and Roth Phase-Out Ranges
| Category | Amount / Range |
|---|---|
| Base contribution limit (under 50) | $7,000 |
| Catch-up contribution (age 50+) | +$1,000 ($8,000 total) |
| Roth phase-out – Single filer | $150,000 – $165,000 MAGI |
| Roth phase-out – Married filing jointly | $236,000 – $246,000 MAGI |
| Roth phase-out – Married filing separately | $0 – $10,000 MAGI |
Traditional IRA contributions are not income-limited, though the tax deductibility of those contributions may be limited if you or a spouse is covered by a workplace plan.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select IRA type — Traditional or Roth.
- Enter your age.
- Select your filing status — single, married filing jointly, or married filing separately.
- Enter your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), used only for the Roth phase-out check.
- Enter your earned income for the year.
- Select Calculate to see your maximum allowed contribution, with an explanation of any cap or phase-out applied.
Related Calculations
Project the growth of a contribution at this limit with the Roth IRA Calculator, or compare pre-tax savings with the 401(k) Calculator.