# Traditional and Roth IRA Income Limits for 2026
The IRS has set new income thresholds for 2026 that determine whether you can contribute to traditional and Roth IRAs. These limits affect millions of savers and change annually based on inflation adjustments.
For married couples filing jointly in 2026, the income limits for Roth IRA eligibility shift upward from 2025. High earners face phase-out ranges that restrict or eliminate their ability to make direct contributions. Single filers and head of household filers each have their own separate thresholds. Even those who cannot contribute directly may use the backdoor Roth strategy, a workaround that remains available regardless of income.
Traditional IRA deduction limits also depend on whether you or your spouse have access to an employer retirement plan like a 401(k). If you're covered by a workplace plan, higher income means reduced or eliminated deductions for traditional IRA contributions. Married couples where only one spouse has workplace coverage face yet another set of thresholds.
The 2026 contribution limits themselves also increase. You can contribute up to $7,500 to either a traditional or Roth IRA for the year if you're under 50. Catch-up contributions of $1,000 extra per year apply if you're 50 or older, bringing your maximum to $8,500.
These limits matter because they shape your retirement savings strategy. If you exceed the Roth income limit, the backdoor Roth approach lets you contribute to a non-deductible traditional IRA, then immediately convert it to a Roth. This assumes you have no other traditional IRA balances, which complicates the pro-rata tax rule calculations.
High earners should review their 2026 income projections now and plan accordingly. Contributing before