Yes, there is still time to make 2016 contributions to your individual retirement account (IRA). The deadline for such contributions is April 18, 2017. If the contribution is deductible, it will lower your 2016 tax bill. But even if it is not, making a 2016 contribution is likely a good idea.
Benefits beyond a deduction
Tax-advantaged retirement plans like IRAs allow your money to grow tax-deferred or, in the case of Roth accounts, tax-free. However, annual contributions are limited by tax law, and any unused limit cannot be carried forward to make larger contributions in future years.
This means that, once the contribution deadline has passed, the tax-advantaged savings opportunity is lost forever. So it is a good idea to use up as much of your annual limit as possible.
Contribution options
The 2016 limit for total contributions to all IRAs generally is $5,500 ($6,500 if you were age 50 or older on December 31, 2016). If you have not already maxed out your 2016 limit, consider making one of these types of contributions by April 18:
- Deductible traditional. If you and your spouse do not participate in an employer-sponsored plan such as a 401(k), or you do but your income does not exceed certain limits, the contribution is fully deductible on your 2016 tax return. Account growth is tax-deferred; distributions are subject to income tax.
- Roth. The contribution is not deductible, but qualified distributions, including growth, are tax-free. Income-based limits, however, may reduce or eliminate your ability to contribute.
- Non-deductible traditional. If your income is too high for you to fully benefit from a deductible traditional or a Roth contribution, you may benefit from a non-deductible contribution to a traditional IRA. The account can still grow tax-deferred, and when you take qualified distributions you will be taxed only on the growth. Alternatively, shortly after contributing, you may be able to convert the account to a Roth IRA with minimal tax liability.
Want to know which option best fits your situation? Contact us.