Disclosure: This article is written for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as financial or any other type of professional advice.
If I can manage my income, I can control my tax liability and potentially save thousands of dollars in taxes — by rightfully claiming tax deductions and credits. Though my husband and I work with a CPA to file our tax returns, I’ve learned that knowing certain income limits myself can mean more cash in my pocket.
For example, if my income falls below certain limits, I may be able to claim one or more of the following:
- Traditional IRA tax deductions
- Roth IRA contributions
- Saver’s Credit for retirement contributions
- Education-related tax credits
More specifically, if my husband is covered by a workplace retirement plan, then I may not be able to deduct contributions to a traditional IRA. If our combined income is too high one year, then we’re not eligible to put money inside a Roth IRA or get certain tax credits associated with our son’s college expenses.
Some restrictions make sense to me. For example, a high earner shouldn’t be eligible to receive a tax credit that’s designed to reward retirement saving among low-to-moderate income workers. But others don’t seem intuitive or logical. For example, high-income families can’t contribute to a Coverdell but can add funds to a 529 Plan account for college savings.
Whether or not income eligibility rules sync with my way of thinking, they exist. Knowing the rules can help me control my tax liability. Potentially, I can snag a tax credit or deduction by taking certain actions. These may include giving to my favorite charity, ditching poorly performing investments at a loss, or contributing to a traditional 401(k) rather than a Roth 401(k).
I don’t want to be controlled by tax rules. But I like being aware of the regulations so I can make informed decisions. So, I’m looking at these restrictions to keep them top of mind.
Traditional IRA
I can contribute to a Traditional IRA regardless of my income level and whether or not my husband or I are covered by a workplace retirement plan. However, we may not be able to deduct these contributions if our income and retirement plan status don’t meet certain requirements.
The good news is that there are no income limits for deducting IRA contributions if my spouse and I aren’t covered by a workplace retirement plan.
However, if one of us is covered, different rules apply. Here are income limits for deducting a Traditional IRA contribution of up to $6,000 (or $7,000 if 50 years or older) based on modified adjusted gross income (modified AGI or MAGI):
2019
- Single or head of household and covered by a workplace retirement plan: full deduction if income is $64,000 or less; partial deduction, if more than $64,000 but less than $74,000; no deduction, if $74,000 or more.
- Married couples filing jointly and I’m covered by a workplace plan: full deduction if income is $103,000 or less; partial deduction, if more than $103,000 but less than $123,000; no deduction, if $123,000 or more.
- Married couples filing jointly, if I’m not covered but my spouse is covered: full deduction if income is $193,000 or less; partial deduction, if more than $193,000 but less than $203,000; no deduction, if more than $203,000.
- Married, filing separately if my spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan: no full deduction available at any income; partial deduction if income is less than $10,000; no deduction, if $10,000 or more.
Sources:
- IRA Contribution Limits
- IRA Deduction Limits – general information
Roth IRA
I can contribute to a Roth IRA if my MAGI falls below a certain threshold. Unlike a traditional IRA, eligibility is based on income — not the availability of a workplace retirement plan.
If my husband and I have income that’s too high, we aren’t eligible to make Roth IRA contributions. This restriction is one reason financial experts encourage young people to contribute to a Roth IRA; when we get older, we are likely to earn more and become ineligible to make contributions.
However, on a practical note, if I can reduce my income by contributing to a 401(k) at work, then I could possibly lower my income enough to become eligible for Roth IRA contributions. (For a discussion of this process, see this article analyzing advantages and disadvantages of making traditional vs. Roth contributions.)
Here are the income limits:
2019
- Single and head of household: full contribution if income is less than $122,000; partial contribution, if more than $122,000 but less than $137,000; no contribution, if $137,000 or more.
- Married couples filing jointly: full contribution if income is less than $193,000; partial contribution, if more than $193,000 but less than $203,000; no contribution, if $203,000 or more.
- Married individual filing separately (if lived together): partial contribution if income is less than $10,000; no contribution, if $10,000 or more.
Sources:
Saver’s Credit
A saver’s credit valued at up to $1,000 ($2,000 if married) is available to taxpayers who have adjusted gross income (AGI) ranging from $19,250 to $62,000 or less and meet other requirements. Calculations are based on filing status, income level, and retirement plan contributions (workplace or IRA).
For starters, you must be 18 years or older, not a full-time student, and not claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return.
Tax-credit percentages and income-related restrictions based on AGI are:
2019
- Married filing jointly: 50% of contribution if income is $38,500 or less; 20%, if between $38,501 and $41,500; 10%, if between $41,501 and $63,000; no credit, if more than $64,000.
- Head of households: 50% of contribution if income is $28,875 or less; 20%, if between $28,876 and $31,125; 10%, between $31,126 and $48,000; no credit, if more than $48,000.
- Other filers – single, married filing separately, or qualifying widow(er): 50% of contribution if income is $19,250 or less; 20%, if between $19,251 and $20,750; 10%, between $20,751 and $32,000; no credit, if more than $32,000.
Source:
Education Credits and Deductions
There are some education-related tax breaks available to individuals and families who meet certain requirements and fall under income limits. The rules are nuanced but the benefits seem valuable for tuition-paying taxpayers — worth $10,000 or more over four years of college.
The IRS has a nice chart explaining the criteria, income levels, and other quirks about these credits and this deduction here: Compare Education Credits and Tuition and Fees Deduction. The most recent information I could find on income limits is here:
American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)
The AOTC offers an annual credit of up to $2,500 per eligible student. Income limits are based on MAGI:
- Married filing jointly: full credit, if income is $160,000 or less; partial credit, if over $160,000 but less than $180,000; no credit, if $180,000 or more.
- Other filers: full credit, if income is $80,000 or less; partial credit, if over $80,000 but less than $90,000; no credit, if over $90,000.
Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)
The LLC is worth up to $2,000 per tax return (not per student). Here are income restrictions based on MAGI:
- Married filing jointly: full credit, if income is $114,000 or less; partial credit, if over $114,000 but less than $134,000; no credit, if $134,000 or more.
- Other filers: full credit, if income is $57,000 or less; partial credit if income is over $57,000 but less than $67,000; no credit, if $67,000 or more.
Tuition and Fees Deduction
In the past, we could reduce our taxable income by claiming a deduction for qualified education expenses (specifically college tuition and fees) paid on behalf of our sons. However, this deduction is no longer available unless tax laws change.
Coverdell ESA
Before our sons started college, we saved for their education using a Coverdell ESA. Similar to the IRA restrictions, there are income limits to make contributions based on MAGI:
- Married filing jointly: less than $220,000
- Other: less than $110,000
Sources:
- American Opportunity Tax Credit
- Lifetime Learning Credit
- Tuition and Fees Deduction – expired
- Coverdell ESA
- Qualified Education Expenses
- Eligible Educational Institution
- Overview of Tax Benefits for Education
Note that the income limits are the most current I could find on the IRS website. In addition, certain credits and deductions can’t be combined. In addition, deductions and credits must be managed with qualifying withdrawals from educational savings plans like 529 plans and Coverdell plans so it makes sense to plan income and withdrawals to maximize tax benefits.
Earned Income Credits
I’ve never claimed the earned income credit, but it looks worthwhile to pursue for those with incomes of $53,930 or less. Having qualifying children boosts the income limits, which start at $15,010.
Here are the maximum credits:
2019
- $529 with no qualifying children
- $3,526 with one qualifying child
- $5,828 with two qualifying children
- $6,557 with three or more qualifying children
To claim this credit, I can’t have an investment income of more than $3,600. So if I happened to be living on a moderate income supplemented by proceeds from the sales of investments (with capital gains), then I couldn’t get this tax credit. It’s meant to provide incentives for working individuals and families with limited outside resources.
Here are the income limits (important: earned income, not just AGI, must be below these thresholds):
2018
- Single, head of household or widowed: $15,570, no children; $41,094, one child; $46,703, two children; $50,162, three or more children.
- Married filing jointly: $21,370, no children; $46,884, one child; $52,493, two children; $55,952, three or more children.
Sources:
In addition to the credits mentioned here, taxpayers may also be eligible for favorable capital gains taxes and healthcare insurance premium subsidies — when certain conditions are met and income is below a certain level. Child and dependent care tax credits are available at any income level. But the lower your income, the more you can claim as a tax credit percentage-wise.
Calculating and Controlling Income
Earned income is money earned from a job or business. (For more on earned income, see this article.)
Adjusted gross income (AGI) is found on Form 1040, line 38. For me, the biggest impacts on AGI have been:
- earned income from work and self-employment
- standardized or itemized deductions, which may include property taxes and charitable donations
- capital gains from investments
- contributions to retirement accounts, such as 401(k) accounts, IRAs, or SEP-IRAs
- contributions to healthcare accounts, such as a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
To reduce AGI and tax liability, I might make a retirement plan contribution, refrain from selling stock that generates capital gains, or make a charitable gift to increase my itemized deductions.
Generally, my AGI is the same as modified adjusted gross income (modified AGI or MAGI). MAGI is AGI plus the following amounts (if any):
- Foreign earned income exclusion
- Foreign housing exclusion
- Foreign housing deduction
- Exclusion of income by bona fide residents of American Samoa or Puerto Rico
When I started saving for retirement, any taxpayer with earned income could contribute to an IRA and get a tax deduction, regardless of income level. Today’s tax law is more complex. There are income limits and eligibility restrictions for deductions, contributions, tax credits, and more. I’ve learned that paying attention to the limits can sometimes reduce my tax bill.
Have you noticed income limits and made moves to lower your income? What did you do?
