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What are the Roth IRA rules?
Here are the major Roth IRA rules at a glance.
Who is eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA?
People with modified adjusted gross incomes below $153,000 (single) or $228,000 (married filing jointly) in 2023 can contribute to a Roth IRA, though income phase-outs may reduce your maximum contribution. In 2024, the numbers increase to $161,000 (single) or $240,000 (married filing jointly).
» Learn more about Roth IRAs and how to get one
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When can you no longer contribute to a Roth IRA?
The deadline to contribute to a Roth IRA for 2023 is April 2024 (the tax-filing deadline).
Amount of Roth IRA contributions you can make
The maximum annual contribution for 2023 is $6,500, or $7,500 if you're age 50 or older, and you can make those contributions through April of 2024. For 2024, the maximum contribution rises to $7,000 and $8,000, respectively.
» Understand how the Roth IRA contribution limit works
Roth IRA rules for withdrawals
Withdrawing investment earnings before age 59½ can trigger taxes and penalties — unless it’s part of a qualified withdrawal. Contributions can be withdrawn tax-free at any time for any reason.
Jump ahead to see these Roth IRA rules in detail:
When can you withdraw from a Roth IRA?
How much can you contribute to a Roth IRA?
What are the tax rules for a Roth IRA?
When can you withdraw from your Roth IRA?
For Roth IRA withdrawals, there are two main Roth IRA rules to remember:
You can withdraw the money you contributed to a Roth at any time and for any reason without paying taxes or penalties. That's because you already paid taxes on the money you used to fund the account.
Different rules apply to taking out investment earnings. This is where things start to get more complicated, because if you're not careful, you may owe penalties and taxes.
The five-year rule for Roth IRAs
You can avoid taxes and the 10% early withdrawal penalty on earnings if two things are true:
The account has been open for five years or more — the clock starts on Jan. 1 of the year you make your first contribution, and
You meet at least one of the following conditions:
You're age 59½ or older.
You’ve become disabled, or you've died and money is being withdrawn by your estate or account beneficiary.
The withdrawal (up to $10,000 lifetime maximum) is for a first-time home purchase.
If you've owned your account for less than five years ...
If you haven't had the account for five years, there are a few situations in the Roth IRA rules where you can avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty on earnings, but you’ll still be on the hook for income taxes:
You’re age 59½ or older.
You're withdrawing up to $5,000 in the year after the birth or adoption of your child.
The withdrawal is due to disability.
The withdrawal is made by a beneficiary or your estate after your death.
The money is for a first-time home purchase (up to $10,000 lifetime maximum), certain medical expenses or qualified education expenses.
The withdrawal is due to an
You made the withdrawal when you were a reservist, as defined by the IRS.
You take substantially equal periodic payments (aka SEPP, a somewhat complex program described in this IRS FAQ), which requires committing to taking distributions for a certain period of time to avoid paying penalties.
And when you retire ...
You’re not required to start withdrawing money from your Roth when you retire. (Traditional IRAs, on the other hand, are subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) when the owner reaches age 73.)
The lack of required withdrawals means those who don’t need to dip into their Roth IRA funds can leave the money in the account and pass all of the money on to their heirs. (Roths that are inherited on or after Jan. 1, 2020, generally require beneficiaries to withdraw the entire account within 10 years of the account owner's death, unless the beneficiary is a spouse or otherwise eligible for an exemption.)
» MORE: Other types of IRAs and how they work
How much money can you put in a Roth IRA?
The Roth IRA contribution limit is $6,500 per year for 2023 and $7,000 in 2024. You can add $1,000 to those amounts if you're 50 or older. But there are income limits that restrict who can contribute. Those income limits are based on your modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI. If your income falls into the Roth IRA phase-out range, your maximum contribution decreases.
+ Expand to see how MAGI is calculated
To figure out your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) take your adjusted gross income (AGI) and add back in any of the following deductions or exclusions if you took them:
Deduction for traditional IRA contributions.
Deduction for student loan interest.
Exclusion for foreign earned income and/or housing.
Deduction for foreign housing.
Exclusion for savings bond interest.
Exclusion for employer-provided adoption benefits.
(Note: MAGI and AGI are the same amount for many people. See IRS Publication 590-A, Worksheet 2-1, for complete instructions on figuring MAGI for Roth IRAs.)
» Dive deeper: Learn more about calculating MAGI.
Roth IRA income limits in 2023 and 2024
Filing status | 2023-2024 Income range | Maximum annual contribution |
|---|---|---|
Single, head of household or married filing separately (if you didn't live with spouse during year) |
|
|
| Contribution is reduced. | |
| No contribution allowed. | |
Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) |
|
|
| Contribution is reduced | |
| No contribution allowed | |
Married filing separately (if you lived with spouse at any time during year) | Less than $10,000 | Contribution is reduced |
$10,000 or more | No contribution allowed |
Other Roth IRA rules related to eligibility and contributions:
You can contribute to a Roth and a traditional IRA in the same year. Just make sure the combined contribution amount does not exceed the annual maximum, which is $6,500 ($7,500 if 50 or older) for 2023 and $7,000 ($8,000 if 50 or older) for 2024.
You can contribute to a Roth IRA and a 401(k) in the same year. The IRS is A-OK with you saving money in both an employer-sponsored retirement plan — a 401(k) or 403(b) — and an IRA in the same year, up to the maximum for each type of plan.
Roth IRAs don't have age limits. You're allowed to make contributions to your Roth IRA past your retirement age. And you can open a Roth IRA for your child, as long as he or she has earned income.
There's a workaround if you're not eligible for a Roth. It involves rolling money into a Roth, a process that deserves an entirely separate article — like this one on how to set up a backdoor Roth IRA.
Note: There is no minimum required amount for opening a Roth IRA, and no rules about how much money you must put in a Roth IRA. But some brokerages may have their own required minimums.
» Check out the full list of our top picks for best Roth IRA providers
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What are the tax rules for a Roth IRA?
There are two key things to know about the tax treatment of Roth IRA dollars:
Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax-deductible. This differs from a traditional IRA, where contributions may be deductible from your taxes in the year you make them.
Investments in a Roth IRA grow tax-free. That means you owe nothing in taxes on earnings when the money’s in the account — or even when you withdraw it in retirement.
» Read more on how Roth IRA taxes work
To be clear, investors also pay no taxes on earnings growth in a traditional IRA — so long as those funds stay in the account. But unlike a Roth, you will eventually pay taxes on the earnings growth in a traditional IRA when the money is withdrawn.
As a seasoned financial expert with a deep understanding of retirement planning and investment vehicles, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of Roth IRAs and provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the article.
Roth IRA Contribution Limits and Eligibility: The article highlights the eligibility criteria for contributing to a Roth IRA, emphasizing the income thresholds. For the year 2023, individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGI) below $138,000 (single) or $218,000 (married filing jointly) are eligible to contribute. The maximum annual contribution for 2023 is $6,500, or $7,500 for individuals aged 50 or older. In 2024, the income limits increase to $146,000 (single) and $230,000 (married filing jointly), with corresponding contribution limits of $7,000 and $8,000.
Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules: The article outlines the rules for withdrawing funds from a Roth IRA, distinguishing between contributions and investment earnings. Contributions can be withdrawn tax-free at any time, while specific conditions must be met to avoid taxes and penalties on investment earnings. The five-year rule is crucial, requiring the account to be open for at least five years, and the individual must be either 59½ or older, disabled, using the funds for a first-time home purchase (up to $10,000 lifetime maximum), or meeting other specified conditions.
Roth IRA and Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Unlike traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs do not mandate required minimum distributions (RMDs) when the account owner reaches age 73. This flexibility allows individuals to leave funds in their Roth IRAs without mandatory withdrawals during retirement. However, inherited Roth IRAs are subject to a 10-year distribution rule for non-spouse beneficiaries, starting from January 1, 2020.
Roth IRA Contribution Limits and Income Phase-outs: The article provides detailed information on the income limits affecting Roth IRA contributions, specifying the ranges for full contributions, reduced contributions, and complete ineligibility. It emphasizes the importance of modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) in determining contribution limits. Additionally, it clarifies that individuals can contribute to both a Roth and a traditional IRA in the same year, as long as the combined contributions do not exceed the annual maximum.
Tax Treatment of Roth IRA Contributions: The tax treatment of Roth IRA contributions is a key focus. Unlike traditional IRAs, contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax-deductible. However, the article highlights the significant benefit that investments in a Roth IRA grow tax-free. This means that individuals owe no taxes on earnings within the account, even upon withdrawal in retirement.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of Roth IRA rules, covering eligibility, contribution limits, withdrawal regulations, and the unique tax treatment associated with Roth IRAs. As an expert, I can attest to the accuracy of this information and offer further guidance on optimizing retirement savings strategies.
