What the Roth IRA calculator shows
A Roth IRA is funded with money you have already paid tax on. In exchange, the growth is tax-free: qualified withdrawals in retirement are not taxed at all. The calculator does two things: it checks how much you are allowed to put in for 2026 under the income limits, and it projects the balance at your retirement age if you contribute that amount every year.
Balance next year = balance × (1 + return) + contribution (capped at your limit)
2026 Roth IRA contribution limits
- $7,500 if you are under 50.
- $8,600 if you are 50 or older ($7,500 plus a $1,100 catch-up).
- Never more than your taxable compensation (wages or self-employment income) for the year. A spouse with little or no income can contribute based on the working spouse's pay when filing jointly.
- The limit is shared across all your IRAs: $7,500 total across traditional and Roth, not $7,500 each.
You can make 2026 contributions until the tax filing deadline, April 15, 2027.
2026 income phase-out ranges
| Filing status | Full contribution if MAGI is | Reduced between | No contribution from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, head of household | $153,000 or less | $153,000 – $168,000 | $168,000 |
| Married filing jointly | $242,000 or less | $242,000 – $252,000 | $252,000 |
| Married filing separately (lived with spouse) | — | $0 – $10,000 | $10,000 |
Inside the range, the IRS worksheet (Publication 590-A, Worksheet 2-2) reduces the limit in proportion: the share of the range your income has passed is taken off, the result is rounded up to the next $10, and any reduced limit between $0 and $200 becomes $200.
Reduced limit = full limit − full limit × (MAGI − range start) ÷ range width, rounded up to $10
Worked examples
Full contribution. A 30-year-old single filer with $80,000 MAGI can put in the full $7,500. Contributing $7,500 every year from 30 to 65 at a 6% return adds $262,500 of contributions and grows to about $835,761, all of it tax-free in retirement if the withdrawal rules are met.
In the phase-out. The same person with $160,000 MAGI is $7,000 into the $15,000 range: 7,000 ÷ 15,000 = 0.467. The reduction is $7,500 × 0.467 = $3,502.50, leaving $3,997.50, rounded up to $4,000.
Married, age 55. A couple filing jointly with $245,000 MAGI is $3,000 into the $10,000 range (0.3). For a 55-year-old the full limit is $8,600, so the reduced limit is $8,600 − $2,580 = $6,020.
Above the range. At $170,000 single MAGI, no direct Roth contribution is allowed for 2026.
Withdrawal rules in brief
- Your contributions can be taken out at any time, tax- and penalty-free.
- Earnings are tax-free once you are 59½ and at least five years have passed since January 1 of the year of your first Roth IRA contribution. Earlier withdrawals of earnings are generally taxed and may face a 10% additional tax, with exceptions such as up to $10,000 for a first home.
- No required minimum distributions apply to the original owner of a Roth IRA, unlike a traditional IRA (see the RMD calculator).
Roth IRA or traditional?
With a traditional IRA you may deduct the contribution now and pay tax on withdrawals later; with a Roth you pay tax now and withdraw tax-free later. If you expect your tax rate in retirement to be higher than today, the Roth usually comes out ahead; if you expect it to be lower, traditional may. Many people split contributions to keep both options. Your workplace plan matters too: the 401(k) calculator shows what an employer match adds, and a match usually comes first.
If your income is too high
People above the limit sometimes contribute to a traditional IRA without a deduction and then convert it to a Roth, often called a "backdoor Roth". Conversions are allowed at any income, but if you hold other pre-tax IRA money, part of the conversion is taxable under the pro-rata rule (Form 8606). It is worth checking with a tax professional first.
Common mistakes
- Contributing more than allowed. Excess contributions are taxed 6% a year until removed. Withdraw the excess and its earnings before the filing deadline to avoid it.
- Using gross income instead of MAGI. MAGI for Roth purposes starts from adjusted gross income, after 401(k) and other pre-tax deductions; traditional 401(k) contributions can bring you under the limit.
- Forgetting to invest. Money in a Roth IRA can sit in cash until you choose investments.
The projection holds the 2026 limits constant for future years; the IRS adjusts them for inflation. Results are estimates, not tax or investment advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I put in a Roth IRA in 2026?
$7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older, but no more than your taxable compensation. The limit is reduced at higher incomes: between $153,000 and $168,000 of MAGI for single filers and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly.
What is the Roth IRA income limit for 2026?
You cannot contribute directly once MAGI reaches $168,000 (single or head of household) or $252,000 (married filing jointly). Married filing separately and living together, the limit is gone at $10,000.
How much will my Roth IRA be worth?
Contributing $7,500 a year for 35 years at a 6% return grows to about $835,800. Change the years, return and contribution in the calculator to see your own projection.
When is the deadline for 2026 Roth IRA contributions?
April 15, 2027, the federal tax filing deadline for 2026 returns. Extensions do not extend the contribution deadline.
Can I have a 401(k) and a Roth IRA?
Yes. A workplace plan does not limit Roth IRA contributions; only your income and compensation do.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service. IR-2025-111: IRA limit increases to $7,500; Roth IRA phase-out ranges for 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service. Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements: Worksheet 2-2, reduced Roth IRA contribution limit.
- Internal Revenue Service. Publication 590-B, Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements: qualified Roth distributions.
- Internal Revenue Service. Roth IRAs.
Last reviewed 2 November 2026. Results are estimates; see our disclaimer.