Contributions to Roth Accounts

Our book: Go Roth! (now available in a 2019 edition) provides a complete, authoritative, plain language explanation of rules and strategies for all types of Roth accounts.

How to Start a Roth IRA
If you don’t know how to get started, this page will take you through the process step by step.

Basic Rules for Regular Contributions
Main rules for annual contributions to a Roth IRA.

Qualifying Income for IRA Contributions
Learn what counts as compensation income that allows you to make IRA contributions.

Spousal Roth IRA
In reality, there’s no such thing as a spousal IRA, just a rule that allows you to rely on your spouse’s income when you contribute.

Roth IRA Phase-Out Rules
The amount you can put into a Roth IRA as a regular contribution is reduced or eliminated if your income goes above certain levels.

Modified Adjusted Gross Income
Rules for determining your modified adjusted gross income for purposes of IRA contributions.

Backdoor Roth IRA Contributions
Some people can use this technique to add to a Roth IRA even when their income is above the limit for Roth IRA contributions.

Retirement Savings Contribution Credit
Details on a credit some taxpayers can claim when they contribute to an IRA or 401k.

Roth IRAs for Minors
Can you set up a Roth IRA for a minor child? Should you?

Roth IRA for College Savings
Using the Roth IRA to save for college.

Excess Contributions to Roth IRAs
How to handle contributions or conversions that are too large or not permitted.