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Not too Late to Contribute to an IRA for 2014

The IRS on March 16 in IR-2015-50 issued reminders concerning tax treatment of individual retirement account. Among them is a reminder that there still is time to contribute to an IRA for 2014 and, in many cases, qualify for a tax credit or deduction.

Other reminders the IRS issued in IR-2015-50 include:

  • Though contributions to Roth IRAs are not deductible, qualified distributions, usually after age 59½, are tax-free.
  • Those with traditional IRAs must begin receiving distributions by April 1 of the year following the year they turn 70½, but there is no similar requirement for Roth IRAs.
  • To count for 2014, contributions must be made by April 15, 2015. In addition, low- and moderate-income taxpayers making these contributions may also qualify for the saver’s credit when they fill out their 2014 returns.
  • Eligible taxpayers can contribute up to $5,500 to an IRA. For someone who was at least age 50 at the end of 2014, the limit is increased to $6,500. There’s no age limit for those contributing to a Roth IRA, but anyone who was at least age 70½ at the end of 2014 is barred from making contributions to a traditional IRA for 2014 and subsequent years.
  • The deduction for contributions to a traditional IRA is generally phased out for taxpayers covered by a workplace retirement plan whose incomes are above certain levels. For someone covered by a workplace plan during any part of 2014, the deduction is phased out if the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for that year is between $60,000 and $70,000 for singles and heads of household and between $0 and $10,000 for married persons filing separately. For married couples filing a joint return when the spouse who makes the IRA contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the income phase-out range for the deduction is $96,000 to $116,000. When the IRA contributor is not covered by a workplace retirement plan but is married to someone who is, the MAGI phase-out range is $181,000 to $191,000.
  • Also known as the retirement savings contributions credit, the saver’s credit is often available to IRA contributors whose adjusted gross income falls below certain levels. For 2014, the income limit is $30,000 for singles and married persons filing separate returns, $45,000 for heads of household and $60,000 for married couples filing jointly.