26 U.S.C. § 219
Section 219 · Retirement savings
Current version, with additions and removals from the August 5, 1997 version.
In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the qualified retirement contributions of the individual for the taxable year.
In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the qualified retirement contributions of the individual for the taxable year.
(1) In general
(1) In general
The amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) to any individual for any taxable year shall not exceed the lesser of—
The amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) to any individual for any taxable year shall not exceed the lesser of—
(B) an amount equal to the compensation includible in the individual's gross income for such taxable year.
(B) an amount equal to the compensation includible in the individual's gross income for such taxable year.
(2) Special rule for employer contributions under simplified employee pensions
(2) Special rule for employer contributions under simplified employee pensions
This section shall not apply with respect to an employer contribution to a simplified employee pension.
This section shall not apply with respect to an employer contribution to a simplified employee pension.
(3) Plans under section 501(c)(18)
(3) Plans under section 501(c)(18)
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) with respect to any contributions on behalf of an employee to a plan described in section 501(c)(18) shall not exceed the lesser of—
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) with respect to any contributions on behalf of an employee to a plan described in section 501(c)(18) shall not exceed the lesser of—
(A) $7,000, or
(A) $7,000, or
(B) an amount equal to 25 percent of the compensation (as defined in section 415(c)(3)) includible in the individual's gross income for such taxable year.
(B) an amount equal to 25 percent of the compensation (as defined in section 415(c)(3)) includible in the individual's gross income for such taxable year.
(4) Special rule for simple retirement accounts
(4) Special rule for simple retirement accounts
This section shall not apply with respect to any amount contributed to a simple retirement account established under section 408(p).
This section shall not apply with respect to any amount contributed to a simple retirement account established under section 408(p).
(5) Deductible amount
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)—
The deductible amount is $5,000.
(B) Catch-up contributions for individuals 50 or older
(i) In general
In the case of an individual who has attained the age of 50 before the close of the taxable year, the deductible amount for such taxable year shall be increased by the applicable amount.
(ii) Applicable amount
For purposes of clause (i), the applicable amount is $1,000.
(C) Cost-of-living adjustment
(i) In general
In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2008, the $5,000 amount under subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by
(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting "calendar year 2007" for "calendar year 2016" in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
(ii) Rounding rules
If any amount after adjustment under clause (i) is not a multiple of $500, such amount shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of $500.
(iii) Indexing of catch-up limitation
In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2023, the $1,000 amount under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by
(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting "calendar year 2022" for "calendar year 2016" in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
If any amount after adjustment under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of $100.
(1) In general
In the case of an individual to whom this paragraph applies for the taxable year, the limitation of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) shall be equal to the lesser of—
In the case of an individual to whom this paragraph applies for the taxable year, the limitation of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) shall be equal to the lesser of—
(A) the dollar amount in effect under subsection (b)(1)(A) for the taxable year, or
(A) the dollar amount in effect under subsection (b)(1)(A) for the taxable year, or
(B) the sum of—
(B) the sum of—
(i) the compensation includible in such individual's gross income for the taxable year, plus
(i) the compensation includible in such individual's gross income for the taxable year, plus
(ii) the compensation includible in the gross income of such individual's spouse for the taxable year reduced by—
(ii) the compensation includible in the gross income of such individual's spouse for the taxable year reduced by—
(III) the amount of any contribution on behalf of such spouse to a Roth IRA under section 408A for such taxable year.
(2) Individuals to whom paragraph (1) applies
(2) Individuals to whom paragraph (1) applies
Paragraph (1) shall apply to any individual if—
Paragraph (1) shall apply to any individual if—
(A) such individual files a joint return for the taxable year, and
(A) such individual files a joint return for the taxable year, and
(B) the amount of compensation (if any) includible in such individual's gross income for the taxable year is less than the compensation includible in the gross income of such individual's spouse for the taxable year.
(B) the amount of compensation (if any) includible in such individual's gross income for the taxable year is less than the compensation includible in the gross income of such individual's spouse for the taxable year.
(1) Beneficiary must be under age 701/2
No deduction shall be allowed under this section with respect to any qualified retirement contribution for the benefit of an individual if such individual has attained age 701/2 before the close of such individual's taxable year for which the contribution was made.
[(1) Repealed. Pub. L. 116–94, div. O, title I, §107(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3148]
(2) Recontributed amounts
(2) Recontributed amounts
(3) Amounts contributed under endowment contract
(3) Amounts contributed under endowment contract
In the case of an endowment contract described in section 408(b), no deduction shall be allowed under this section for that portion of the amounts paid under the contract for the taxable year which is properly allocable, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to the cost of life insurance.
In the case of an endowment contract described in section 408(b), no deduction shall be allowed under this section for that portion of the amounts paid under the contract for the taxable year which is properly allocable, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to the cost of life insurance.
(4) Denial of deduction for amount contributed to inherited annuities or accounts
(4) Denial of deduction for amount contributed to inherited annuities or accounts
No deduction shall be allowed under this section with respect to any amount paid to an inherited individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity (within the meaning of section 408(d)(3)(C)(ii)).
No deduction shall be allowed under this section with respect to any amount paid to an inherited individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity (within the meaning of section 408(d)(3)(C)(ii)).
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified retirement contribution” means—
For purposes of this section, the term "qualified retirement contribution" means—
(1) any amount paid in cash for the taxable year by or on behalf of an individual to an individual retirement plan for such individual's benefit, and
(1) any amount paid in cash for the taxable year by or on behalf of an individual to an individual retirement plan for such individual's benefit, and
(2) any amount contributed on behalf of any individual to a plan described in section 501(c)(18).
(2) any amount contributed on behalf of any individual to a plan described in section 501(c)(18).
(1) Compensation
(1) Compensation
(2) Married individuals
(2) Married individuals
The maximum deduction under subsection (b) shall be computed separately for each individual, and this section shall be applied without regard to any community property laws.
The maximum deduction under subsection (b) shall be computed separately for each individual, and this section shall be applied without regard to any community property laws.
(3) Time when contributions deemed made
(3) Time when contributions deemed made
For purposes of this section, a taxpayer shall be deemed to have made a contribution to an individual retirement plan on the last day of the preceding taxable year if the contribution is made on account of such taxable year and is made not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year (not including extensions thereof).
For purposes of this section, a taxpayer shall be deemed to have made a contribution to an individual retirement plan on the last day of the preceding taxable year if the contribution is made on account of such taxable year and is made not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year (not including extensions thereof).
(4) Reports
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which prescribe the time and the manner in which reports to the Secretary and plan participants shall be made by the plan administrator of a qualified employer or government plan receiving qualified voluntary employee contributions.
[(4) Repealed. Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, §221(a)(39)(A), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4043]
(5) Employer payments
(5) Employer payments
For purposes of this title, any amount paid by an employer to an individual retirement plan shall be treated as payment of compensation to the employee (other than a self-employed individual who is an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1)) includible in his gross income in the taxable year for which the amount was contributed, whether or not a deduction for such payment is allowable under this section to the employee.
For purposes of this title, any amount paid by an employer to an individual retirement plan shall be treated as payment of compensation to the employee (other than a self-employed individual who is an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1)) includible in his gross income in the taxable year for which the amount was contributed, whether or not a deduction for such payment is allowable under this section to the employee.
(6) Excess contributions treated as contribution made during subsequent year for which there is an unused limitation
(6) Excess contributions treated as contribution made during subsequent year for which there is an unused limitation
(A) In general
(A) In general
If for the taxable year the maximum amount allowable as a deduction under this section for contributions to an individual retirement plan exceeds the amount contributed, then the taxpayer shall be treated as having made an additional contribution for the taxable year in an amount equal to the lesser of—
If for the taxable year the maximum amount allowable as a deduction under this section for contributions to an individual retirement plan exceeds the amount contributed, then the taxpayer shall be treated as having made an additional contribution for the taxable year in an amount equal to the lesser of—
(i) the amount of such excess, or
(i) the amount of such excess, or
(ii) the amount of the excess contributions for such taxable year (determined under section 4973(b)(2) without regard to subparagraph (C) thereof).
(ii) the amount of the excess contributions for such taxable year (determined under section 4973(b)(2) without regard to subparagraph (C) thereof).
(B) Amount contributed
(B) Amount contributed
For purposes of this paragraph, the amount contributed—
For purposes of this paragraph, the amount contributed—
(i) shall be determined without regard to this paragraph, and
(i) shall be determined without regard to this paragraph, and
(ii) shall not include any rollover contribution.
(ii) shall not include any rollover contribution.
(C) Special rule where excess deduction was allowed for closed year
(C) Special rule where excess deduction was allowed for closed year
Proper reduction shall be made in the amount allowable as a deduction by reason of this paragraph for any amount allowed as a deduction under this section for a prior taxable year for which the period for assessing deficiency has expired if the amount so allowed exceeds the amount which should have been allowed for such prior taxable year.
Proper reduction shall be made in the amount allowable as a deduction by reason of this paragraph for any amount allowed as a deduction under this section for a prior taxable year for which the period for assessing deficiency has expired if the amount so allowed exceeds the amount which should have been allowed for such prior taxable year.
(7) Special rule for compensation earned by members of the Armed Forces for service in a combat zone.
For purposes of subsections (b)(1)(B) and (c), the amount of compensation includible in an individual's gross income shall be determined without regard to section 112.
For election not to deduct contributions to individual retirement plans, see section 408(o)(2)(B)(ii).
For election not to deduct contributions to individual retirement plans, see section 408(o)(2)(B)(ii).
(1) In general
(1) In general
(2) Amount of reduction
(2) Amount of reduction
(A) In general
(A) In general
The amount determined under this paragraph with respect to any dollar limitation shall be the amount which bears the same ratio to such limitation as—
The amount determined under this paragraph with respect to any dollar limitation shall be the amount which bears the same ratio to such limitation as—
(i) the excess of—
(i) the excess of—
(I) the taxpayer's adjusted gross income for such taxable year, over
(I) the taxpayer's adjusted gross income for such taxable year, over
(II) the applicable dollar amount, bears to
(II) the applicable dollar amount, bears to
(B) No reduction below $200 until complete phase-out
(B) No reduction below $200 until complete phase-out
No dollar limitation shall be reduced below $200 under paragraph (1) unless (without regard to this subparagraph) such limitation is reduced to zero.
No dollar limitation shall be reduced below $200 under paragraph (1) unless (without regard to this subparagraph) such limitation is reduced to zero.
(C) Rounding
(C) Rounding
Any amount determined under this paragraph which is not a multiple of $10 shall be rounded to the next lowest $10.
Any amount determined under this paragraph which is not a multiple of $10 shall be rounded to the next lowest $10.
(3) Adjusted gross income; applicable dollar amount
(3) Adjusted gross income; applicable dollar amount
For purposes of this subsection—
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Adjusted gross income
(A) Adjusted gross income
Adjusted gross income of any taxpayer shall be determined—
Adjusted gross income of any taxpayer shall be determined—
(i) after application of sections 86 and 469, and
(i) after application of sections 86 and 469, and
(B) Applicable dollar amount
(B) Applicable dollar amount
The term “applicable dollar amount” means the following:
The term "applicable dollar amount" means the following:
(iii) In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, zero.
(iii) In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, zero.
(4) Special rule for married individuals filing separately and living apart
(4) Special rule for married individuals filing separately and living apart
A husband and wife who—
A husband and wife who—
(A) file separate returns for any taxable year, and
(A) file separate returns for any taxable year, and
(B) live apart at all times during such taxable year,
(B) live apart at all times during such taxable year,
shall not be treated as married individuals for purposes of this subsection.
shall not be treated as married individuals for purposes of this subsection.
(5) Active participant
(5) Active participant
For purposes of this subsection, the term “active participant” means, with respect to any plan year, an individual—
For purposes of this subsection, the term "active participant" means, with respect to any plan year, an individual—
(A) who is an active participant in—
(A) who is an active participant in—
(i) a plan described in section 401(a) which includes a trust exempt from tax under section 501(a),
(i) a plan described in section 401(a) which includes a trust exempt from tax under section 501(a),
(ii) an annuity plan described in section 403(a),
(ii) an annuity plan described in section 403(a),
(iii) a plan established for its employees by the United States, by a State or political subdivision thereof, or by an agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing,
(iii) a plan established for its employees by the United States, by a State or political subdivision thereof, or by an agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing,
(iv) an annuity contract described in section 403(b),
(iv) an annuity contract described in section 403(b),
(v) a simplified employee pension (within the meaning of section 408(k)), or
(v) a simplified employee pension (within the meaning of section 408(k)), or
(vi) any simple retirement account (within the meaning of section 408(p)), or
(vi) any simple retirement account (within the meaning of section 408(p)), or
(B) who makes deductible contributions to a trust described in section 501(c)(18).
(B) who makes deductible contributions to a trust described in section 501(c)(18).
The determination of whether an individual is an active participant shall be made without regard to whether or not such individual's rights under a plan, trust, or contract are nonforfeitable. An eligible deferred compensation plan (within the meaning of section 457(b)) shall not be treated as a plan described in subparagraph (A)(iii).
The determination of whether an individual is an active participant shall be made without regard to whether or not such individual's rights under a plan, trust, or contract are nonforfeitable. An eligible deferred compensation plan (within the meaning of section 457(b)) shall not be treated as a plan described in subparagraph (A)(iii).
(6) Certain individuals not treated as active participants
(6) Certain individuals not treated as active participants
For purposes of this subsection, any individual described in any of the following subparagraphs shall not be treated as an active participant for any taxable year solely because of any participation so described:
For purposes of this subsection, any individual described in any of the following subparagraphs shall not be treated as an active participant for any taxable year solely because of any participation so described:
(A) Members of reserve components
(A) Members of reserve components
Participation in a plan described in subparagraph (A)(iii) of paragraph (5) by reason of service as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces (as defined in section 10101 of title 10), unless such individual has served in excess of 90 days on active duty (other than active duty for training) during the year.
Participation in a plan described in subparagraph (A)(iii) of paragraph (5) by reason of service as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces (as defined in section 10101 of title 10), unless such individual has served in excess of 90 days on active duty (other than active duty for training) during the year.
(B) Volunteer firefighters
(B) Volunteer firefighters
A volunteer firefighter—
A volunteer firefighter—
(i) who is a participant in a plan described in subparagraph (A)(iii) of paragraph (5) based on his activity as a volunteer firefighter, and
(i) who is a participant in a plan described in subparagraph (A)(iii) of paragraph (5) based on his activity as a volunteer firefighter, and
(ii) whose accrued benefit as of the beginning of the taxable year is not more than an annual benefit of $1,800 (when expressed as a single life annuity commencing at age 65).
(ii) whose accrued benefit as of the beginning of the taxable year is not more than an annual benefit of $1,800 (when expressed as a single life annuity commencing at age 65).
In the case of an individual who is an active participant at no time during any plan year ending with or within the taxable year but whose spouse is an active participant for any part of any such plan year—
If this subsection applies to an individual for any taxable year solely because their spouse is an active participant, then, in applying this subsection to the individual (but not their spouse)—
(B) the amount applicable under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) shall be $10,000.
(B) the amount applicable under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) shall be $10,000.
For failure to provide required reports, see section 6652(g).
(8) Inflation adjustment
In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2006, each of the dollar amounts in paragraphs (3)(B)(i), (3)(B)(ii), and (7)(A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting "calendar year 2005" for "calendar year 2016" in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
Any increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.