Keyword: Maximum Contribution

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2005 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Am I considered covered by an employer sponsored retirement plan for the year if I do not participate in the plan or if I did not work long enough to be vested?

The answer to this question depends on your type of retirement plan. Generally, if your employer's plan has a separate account for each employee, it is a defined contribution plan. If any amount was contributed or allocated by you or your employer to your account, you are considered covered. It does not matter if you have worked long enough to be vested.

In the other type of plan, a defined benefit plan, the employer must make enough contributions (together with earnings) to provide the retirement benefit promised in the retirement plan. In this type of plan, if you meet the minimum age and years of service requirements to participate in your employer's plan, you are considered covered. It does not matter if you are vested.

The Form W-2 (PDF) you receive from your employer has a box used to indicate whether you were covered for the year. The "Pension Plan" box should have a mark in it if you were covered.

What is the maximum amount that I can contribute to my 401(k) plan?

The maximum amount an employee can contribute to a 401(k) plan is determined annually. You may be allowed catch up contributions in addition to annual limit, if you are age 50 or older. Refer to "Elective Deferrals" in Publication 525 Taxable and Nontaxable Income. The maximum amount applies to an employee's aggregate pre-tax contributions to a 401(k) plan and 403(b) plan. There are several different limits that apply to a 401(k) plan in addition to the overall contribution limit. These limits, your salary and the type of 401(k) plan to which you are contributing may limit your 401(k) contributions to a lesser amount.

The rules for retirement plans are complex. Your plan administrator should have written information about your particular plan that explains these limitations as well as other regulations that apply.

For further information, refer to Tax Topic 424, 401(k) plans.

Can a person make a contribution to a SEP-IRA and a Roth IRA, too?

Yes, you can make a contribution to a SEP-IRA and a Roth IRA. See chapter 2 Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), for the requirements to contribute to a SEP and a Roth IRA. However, your SEP IRA contribution and Roth IRA contribution can not be made to the same IRA.

I want to establish a traditional individual retirement arrangement (IRA) for my spouse, and I need additional information. What is the most I can contribute to a spousal IRA during the tax year?

If both you and your spouse work and both have taxable compensation, each of you can contribute to a separate traditional IRA. The amount that you can contribute to each IRA is subject to a limit. Refer to chapter 1 of Publication 590 for more information on these limits. Contributions can be made even if one spouse has little or no compensation, if you file a joint return. You can make a contribution to a separate IRA for your nonworking spouse if you file a joint return. Your total contribution to both your IRA and the spousal IRA for this year is limited by certain factors such as your taxable compensation, contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA and your age.

For additional information, refer to Tax Topic 451, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), or Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) .

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