How do you apply the IRA contribution limit?
First choose the tax year for the contribution. Then combine the regular contributions made to all of your traditional and Roth IRAs for that year. The total is capped at the annual amount in the table or your taxable compensation, whichever is lower. A rollover contribution and a qualified reservist repayment are treated separately from this regular annual contribution limit under the IRS rules.
The age-based amount is available when you are age 50 or older by the end of the applicable calendar year. For 2026, the IRS lists a $7,500 general limit and an additional $1,100 catch-up amount, making $8,600 for eligible individuals. For 2025 and 2024, the general limit is $7,000 with a $1,000 catch-up amount, or $8,000 total. Source and date: Internal Revenue Service, Retirement Topics: IRA Contribution Limits and 2026 retirement plan and IRA limit announcement (accessed 2026-11-03).
Does the limit determine Roth eligibility or a traditional IRA deduction?
No. The annual dollar ceiling is only one part of the rules. Roth IRA contribution eligibility can be reduced by modified adjusted gross income and filing status. Whether a traditional IRA contribution is deductible can also depend on income, filing status, and whether you or your spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan. Review the IRS guidance for your tax year and circumstances; this page does not calculate those phase-outs or determine a deduction.
What contributions are outside this annual limit?
The IRS says the regular IRA contribution limit does not apply to rollover contributions or qualified reservist repayments. Those categories have their own requirements, so do not treat them as ordinary annual contributions or rely on this summary to classify a transaction.
Frequently asked questions
Can I contribute the full limit to both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA?
No. The stated limit is the combined maximum for regular contributions to all of your traditional and Roth IRAs for a tax year. Splitting contributions between accounts does not create a second limit.
What if my taxable compensation is below the annual limit?
Your combined regular contributions are generally limited to your taxable compensation when it is less than the annual dollar limit. Special rules can apply in some situations, including spousal IRA contributions; check the IRS rules for the applicable year.
Does being 50 during the year qualify me for the higher amount?
The IRS describes the catch-up amount for an individual who is age 50 or older by the end of the tax year. Check the source for the applicable year if your birthday falls near year end.