With tax season approaching, now is the perfect time to boost your retirement savings. Based on the newly released IRS Publication 590-A for 2025, here’s what you need to know about making IRA contributions before the April 15, 2026 deadline.

Contribution Limits Stay Steady for 2025

For the 2025 tax year, you can contribute:

• $7,000 to your IRA ($8,000 if you’re 50 or older)
• This applies to both Traditional and Roth IRAs combined
• Contributions must be made by April 15, 2026 (your 2025 tax filing deadline)

💡 Pro Tip: Even if you’ve already filed your taxes, you can still make a 2025 IRA contribution until the April deadline—just specify which tax year the contribution applies to when you deposit it.

Traditional vs. Roth: Understanding the Key Differences

Feature	Traditional IRA	Roth IRA
Tax Treatment	Contributions may be tax-deductible now	Contributions are never deductible
Withdrawals	Taxed as income in retirement	Qualified withdrawals are completely tax-free
Income Limits	Affects deductibility if covered by workplace plan	Affects eligibility to contribute
Age Limits	No age limit for contributions (rule changed after 2019)	No age limit for contributions

Critical Income Limits for 2025

Traditional IRA Deduction Phaseouts (if covered by workplace retirement plan):

• Single filers: Deduction phases out between $79,000–$89,000 modified AGI
• Married filing jointly: Phases out between $126,000–$146,000 modified AGI
• Married filing separately: Phases out below $10,000 modified AGI

Roth IRA Contribution Limits:

• Married filing jointly: Contributions phase out between $236,000–$246,000 modified AGI
• Single/head of household: Phase out between $150,000–$165,000 modified AGI
• Married filing separately (living together): Phase out between $0–$10,000 modified AGI

⚠️ Watch Out: If your income falls within these phaseout ranges, you can still contribute—but your deduction (Traditional) or contribution amount (Roth) will be reduced. Use IRS Worksheet 2-2 to calculate your exact limit.

Three Smart Strategies to Consider Now

1. Backdoor Roth Conversion
   Even with high income, you can contribute to a Traditional IRA (nondeductible if above limits) and immediately convert to a Roth IRA. This “backdoor” strategy remains available despite recent tax law changes.
2. Spousal IRA for Non-Working Partners
   If you file jointly and have sufficient earned income, you can contribute to an IRA for your non-working spouse—potentially doubling your family’s retirement savings.
3. Fix Last Year’s Mistakes
   Made an excess contribution in 2025? You can withdraw it (plus earnings) by April 15, 2026 to avoid the 6% annual penalty.

Important Changes to Note

• No more recharacterizations: After 2017, you can’t undo a Traditional-to-Roth conversion by recharacterizing it back. Make conversion decisions carefully.
• Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Now begin at age 73 (increased from 72 under SECURE 2.0 Act)
• 529 to Roth IRA rollovers: New for 2024+, beneficiaries can roll over up to $35,000 lifetime from 529 plans to Roth IRAs if the account has been open 15+ years

Avoid These Common Mistakes

❌ Missing the deadline: IRA contributions for 2025 must be made by April 15, 2026—not December 31, 2025
❌ Exceeding limits: Contributions can’t exceed your taxable compensation for the year
❌ Forgetting Form 8606: Required when making nondeductible Traditional IRA contributions
❌ Violating the one-rollover rule: Only one IRA-to-IRA rollover allowed per 12-month period (trustee-to-trustee transfers don’t count)

Bottom Line

Your IRA remains one of the most powerful retirement tools available—especially when you understand the rules. Whether you’re making your first contribution or optimizing decades of savings, taking action before the April deadline could significantly boost your retirement security.

This article summarizes key points from IRS Publication 590-A (2025). For personalized advice regarding your specific situation, consult a tax professional or financial advisor. Always refer to the official IRS publications for authoritative guidance.