Regular Contributions

Top of our discussion of regular contributions to a Roth IRA.

This section of our Guide to the Roth IRA explains the rules for making regular contributions — in other words, contributions other than rollover or conversion contributions. Most people can contribute $3,000 per year to a Roth IRA (reduced by any amount they contribute to a regular IRA), but there are restrictions. You or your spouse must have compensation or alimony income, and your overall income can't exceed certain limits.

Page Descriptions

Basic Rules for Regular Contributions
This page lays out the basics for making regular contributions. Most people will find it gives them all the information they need on this subject, but other pages are provided for those who need details in particular areas.

Regular Contribution to a Conversion Roth IRA
If you've been told you can't make a regular contribution to a conversion Roth IRA — or that you shouldn't — you may want to visit this page.

Compensation Income
One of the requirements to make a regular contribution is to have taxable compensation or alimony income. For most people this is a no-brainer: you work for a living, you get a paycheck, and that's taxable compensation income. If you have to rely on income other than a paycheck to support your regular contribution to a Roth IRA, this page explains what types of income qualify — and what types don't.

Spousal Roth IRA
If you don't have taxable compensation, you can still contribute to a Roth IRA if you file jointly with a spouse who does. Click to this page for details.

Phase-Out Rules
Some people have modified adjusted gross income in the phase-out range. That means they can't contribute the full $3,000 to a Roth IRA, but they're still allowed to contribute something. This page explains how to determine the amount you can contribute.

Modified Adjusted Gross Income
If your modified adjusted gross income is near the level where your contribution amount is phased out, you need to have a precise definition of modified adjusted gross income. This page provides the details.

Expanded Roth IRA Availability
There's a rule that will make it easier to roll a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA if you're receiving minimum distributions from the traditional IRA — but the rule doesn't take effect until 2005!

Other Topics

Here are the other topics in our Guide to the Roth IRA:

• Roth IRA Essentials
• Conversions and Rollovers
• Distributions from Roth IRAs
• Undoing Contributions and Conversions
• Decision Factors
• Investment Strategies