Traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): A Primer

Traditional and Roth Individual Retirement
Accounts (IRAs): A Primer
Updated October 8, 2008
John J. Topoleski
Analyst in Income Security
Domestic Social Policy Division



Traditional and Roth
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs):
A Primer
Summary
In response to concerns over the adequacy of retirement savings, Congress has
created incentives to encourage individuals to save more for retirement through a
variety of retirement plans. Some retirement plans are employer-sponsored (such as
401(k) plans), and others are established by individual employees (such as Individual
Retirement Accounts (IRAs)).
This report describes the primary features of two common retirement savings
accounts that are available to individuals. Both traditional and Roth IRAs offer tax
incentives to encourage individuals to save for retirement. Although the accounts
have many features in common, they differ in some very important aspects. This
report explains the eligibility requirements, contribution limits, tax deductibility of
contributions, and rules for withdrawing funds from the accounts. This report will
be updated as legislative activity warrants.



Contents
In troduction ......................................................1
IRA Assets and Sources of Funds.....................................2
Traditional IRAs..................................................3
Eligibility ....................................................3
Contributions .................................................3
Investment Options............................................4
Deductibility of Contributions....................................4
Withdrawals ..................................................6
Early Distributions.............................................6
Rollovers ....................................................7
Inherited IRAs................................................8
Roth IRAs......................................................10
Eligibility and Contribution Limits...............................10
Investment Options...........................................10
Conversions and Rollovers.....................................10
Withdrawals .................................................11
Return of Regular Contributions.............................11
Qualified Distributions....................................11
Non-Qualified Distributions................................11
Distributions after Roth IRA Owner’s Death.......................12
Retirement Savings Contribution Credit...............................14
Qualified Distributions Related to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma......15
Qualified Distributions Related to the Midwestern Disaster Relief Area......15
List of Tables
Table 1. Traditional and Roth IRAs: End of Year Assets...................2
Table 2. Traditional IRAs: Source of Funds.............................2
Table 3. Deductibility of IRA Contributions for Individuals
Not Covered by a Plan at Work for 2007 and 2008 ...................5
Table 4. Deductibility of IRA Contributions for Individuals
Covered by a Plan at Work for 2007 and 2008.......................5
Table 5. Inherited IRA Distribution Rules..............................9
Table 6. Roth IRA Eligibility and Contribution Limits for 2007 and 2008.....13
Table 7. Retirement Saving Contribution Credit Income Limits
for 2007 and 2008............................................14



Traditional and Roth Individual Retirement
Accounts (IRAs): A Primer
Introduction
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are tax-advantaged accounts that
individuals (or married couples) can establish in order to accumulate funds for
retirement. Depending on the type of IRA, contributions may be made on a pre-tax
or post-tax basis, and investment earnings are either tax-deferred or tax-free.
IRAs were first authorized by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of

1974 (ERISA, P.L. 93-406). Originally limited to workers without pension coverage,


all workers and spouses were made eligible for IRAs by the Economic Recovery Act
of 1981 (P.L. 97-34). The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-514) limited the
eligibility for tax-deductible contributions to individuals whose employers do not
sponsor plans and to those whose employers sponsor plans but who have earnings
below certain thresholds. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-34) allowed
for certain penalty-free withdrawals and authorized the Roth IRA, which provides
tax-free growth from after-tax contributions.
The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-16)
significantly affected the contribution limits in these plans in three ways: (1) it
increased the limits, (2) it indexed the limits to inflation, and (3) it allowed for
individuals 50 and older to make additional “catch-up” contributions. Among other
provisions, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-280) temporally allowed
for tax-free distributions for charitable contributions; made permanent the indexing
of contribution limits; and allowed taxpayers to direct the IRS to deposit tax refunds1
directly into an IRA.
This report describes the two kinds of IRAs that individual employees can
establish: traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.2 It describes the rules regarding
eligibility, contributions, and withdrawals. It also describes a tax credit for
retirement savings contributions as well as rules related to penalty-free distributions
for those affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.


1 See also 26 U.S.C. § 408 for traditional IRAs and 26 U.S.C. § 408A for Roth IRAs.
2 For additional information, see CRS Report RL30255, Individual Retirement Accounts
(IRAs): Issues and Proposed Expansion, by Thomas L. Hungerford and Jane G. Gravelle
and CRS Report RS22019, IRAs and Other Savings Incentives: A Brief Overview, by Jane
G. Gravelle. There are also two kinds of IRAs established by employers for employees in
small businesses: Simplified Employee Pensions (SEP-IRA) and Savings Incentive Match
Plans for Employees (SIMPLE-IRA). These may be the subject of a future CRS report.

IRA Assets and Sources of Funds
Table 1 contains data on the end-of-year assets in traditional and Roth IRAs
from 2002 to 2006. According to the Investment Company Institute, traditional IRAs
hold much more in assets than Roth IRAs. At the end of 2006, there was $3.8 trillion
held in traditional IRAs and $178 billion held in Roth IRAs. Table 2 indicates that
within traditional IRAs, more funds flowed from rollovers from employer-sponsored
pensions compared to funds from regular contributions.3 For example, in 2004 (the
latest year data are available) funds from rollovers were $213.6 billion, while funds
from contributions were only $12.3 billion. The Investment Company Institute also
indicates that at the end of 2004, traditional IRAs and rollover IRAs each held 45%
of all IRA assets, Roth IRAs held 4% of all IRA assets, and employer-sponsored
IRAs held the remaining 6%.
Table 1. Traditional and Roth IRAs: End of Year Assets
(in billions of dollars)
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Traditional IRAs2,3222,7192,9623,2603,788
Roth IRAs78106126147178
Source: CRS table using data from the Investment Company Institute, The U.S. Retirement Market,
Second Quarter 2007, available at [http://www.ici.org/pdf/retmrkt_update.pdf].
Table 2. Traditional IRAs: Source of Funds
(in billions of dollars)
2002 2003 2004
Rollovers from Employer-Sponsored Pensions204.4205.0213.6
Contributions from Account Holders12.412.312.3
Source: CRS table using data from the Investment Company Institute, The U.S. Retirement Market,
Second Quarter 2007, available at [http://www.ici.org/pdf/retmrkt_update.pdf].


3 Generally, rollovers are tax-free distributions of assets from one retirement plan that are
contributed to a second retirement plan. Regular contributions are contributions to IRAs
that are made from individuals’ pre- or post-tax income (subject to the rules of the particular
type of IRA).

Traditional IRAs
Traditional IRAs are funded by workers’ contributions, which may be tax-
deductible. The contributions accrue investment earnings in an account, and these
earnings are used as a basis for retirement income. Among the benefits of traditional
IRAs, two are (1) pre-tax contributions provide larger bases for accumulating
investment earnings and, thus, provide larger account balances at retirement than if
the money had been placed in taxable accounts; and (2) taxes are paid when funds are
distributed. Since income tax rates in retirement are often lower than during working
life, traditional IRA holders are likely to pay less in taxes when contributions are
withdrawn than when the income was earned.
Eligibility
Individuals who are less than 70½ years old in a year and receive taxable
compensation can set up and contribute to IRAs. Examples of compensation include
wages, salaries, tips, commissions, self-employment income, alimony, and
nontaxable combat pay. Individuals who receive income only from
non-compensation sources cannot contribute to IRAs.
Contributions
Individuals may contribute either their gross compensation or the contribution
limit, whichever is lower. In 2007, the contribution limit was $4,000. In 2008, the
contribution limit is $5,000, and beginning in 2009, it will be indexed to inflation.
Individuals 50 and older may make additional $1,000 catch-up contributions. For
households that file a joint return, spouses may contribute an amount equal to the
couple’s total compensation (reduced by the spouse’s IRA contributions) or the
contribution limit ($4,000 each, if younger than 50, and $5,000 each, if 50 years or
older), whichever is lower. Contributions that exceed the contribution limit and are
not withdrawn by the due date for the tax return for that year are considered excess
contributions and are subject to a 6% “excess contribution” tax. Contributions made
between January 1 and April 15 may be designated for either the current year or the
previous year.
The following non-compensation sources of income cannot be used for IRA
contributions:
!earnings from property, interest, or dividends,
!pension or annuity income,
!deferred compensation,
!income from partnerships for which an individual does not provide
services that are a material income-producing factor, and
!foreign earned income.



Investment Options
IRAs can be set up through many financial institutions, such as banks, credit
unions, mutual funds, life insurance companies, or stock brokerages. Individuals have
an array of investment choices offered by the financial institutions and can transfer
their accounts to other financial institutions if they are unhappy with their choices.
Several transactions could result in additional taxes or the loss of IRA status.
These transactions include borrowing from IRAs, using IRAs as collateral for loans,
selling property to IRAs, and investing in collectibles like artwork, antiques, metals,
gems, stamps, alcoholic beverages, and most coins.4
Deductibility of Contributions
IRA contributions may be non-tax-deductible, partially tax-deductible, or fully
tax-deductible, depending on whether the individual or spouse is covered by a
pension plan at work and the level of adjusted gross income. Individuals are covered
by a retirement plan if (1) the individuals or their employers have made contributions
to a defined contribution pension plan, or (2) the individuals are eligible for a defined
benefit pension plan (even if they refuse participation).
For individuals and households not covered by a pension plan at work, Table
3 contains the income levels at which they may deduct all, some, or none of their IRA
contributions, depending on the spouse’s pension coverage and the household’s
adjusted gross income. Individuals without employer-sponsored pensions and, if
married, whose spouse also does not have pension coverage may deduct up to the
contribution limit from their income taxes regardless of their adjusted gross income.
For individuals and households who are covered by a pension plan at work,
Table 4 contains the income levels at which they may deduct all, some, or none of
their IRA contributions, depending on the individual’s or household’s adjusted gross
income. Individuals may still contribute to IRAs up to the contribution limit even if
the contribution is non-deductible. Non-deductible contributions come from post-tax
income, not pre-tax, income. One advantage to placing post-tax income in traditional
IRAs is that investment earnings on non-deductible contributions are not taxed until
distributed. Only contributions greater than the contribution limits as described
above are considered excess contributions. Worksheets for computing partial
deductions are included in IRS Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements
(IR As). 5


4 Gold, silver, and platinum coins issued by the U.S. Treasury, and gold, silver, palladium,
and platinum bullion are permissible.
5 Available at [http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590.pdf].

Table 3. Deductibility of IRA Contributions for Individuals
Not Covered by a Plan at Work for 2007 and 2008
2007 Adjusted2008 AdjustedDeduction
Filing StatusGross IncomeGross IncomeAllowed
Single, head of household,Any amountAny amountFull deduction
qualifying widow(er), or
married filing jointly or
separately with a spouse who
is not covered by a plan at
wo r k
$156,000 or less$159,000 or lessfull deduction
Married filing jointly orMore thanMore thanPartial deduction
separately with a spouse who$156,000 but less$159,000 but less
is covered by a plan at workthan $176,000than $189,000
$176,000 or more$189,000 or moreNo deduction
Married filing separately withLess than $10,000Less than $10,000Partial deduction
a spouse who is covered by a
plan at work$10,000 or more$10,000 or moreNo deduction
Source: CRS analysis of IRS Publication 590 and IRS News Release IR-2007-171.
Table 4. Deductibility of IRA Contributions for Individuals
Covered by a Plan at Work for 2007 and 2008
Adjusted GrossAdjusted GrossDeduction
Filing StatusIncome in 2007Income in 2008Allowed
$52,000 or less$53,000 or lessFull deduction
More thanMore thanPartial deduction
Single or head of household$52,000 but less$53,000 but less
than $62,000than $63,000
$62,000 or more$63,000 or moreNo deduction
$83,000 or less $85,000 or lessFull deduction
Married filing jointly orMore than$83,000 but lessMore than$85,000 but lessPartial deduction
qualifying widow(er)than $103,000than $105,000
$103,000 or more$105,000 or moreNo deduction
Less than $10,000Less than $10,000Partial deduction
Married filing separately
$10,000 or more$10,000 or moreNo deduction
Source: CRS analysis of IRS Publication 590 and IRS News Release IR-2007-171.



Withdrawals
Withdrawals from IRAs are subject to income tax in the year that they are
received.6 Early distributions are withdrawals made before the age of 59½. Early
distributions may be subject to an additional 10% penalty.
In order to ensure that IRAs are used for retirement income and not for bequests,
IRA holders must begin making withdrawals by April 1 of the year after reaching age
70½ (the required beginning date). The minimum amount that must be withdrawn
(the required minimum distribution) is found by dividing the account balance on
December 31 of the year preceding the distribution by the IRA owner’s life
expectancy as found in IRS Publication 590.7 Although females live longer on
average than males, separate life expectancy tables for males and females are not
used for this purpose by the IRS.8 Required minimum distributions must be received
by December 31 of each year. Failure to take the required minimum distribution
results in 50% excise tax on the amount not distributed as required.
In 2006 and 2007, distributions from IRAs after the age of 70½ could be made
to qualified charities and excluded from gross income. This provision for Qualified
Charitable Distributions expired December 31, 2007, and it is uncertain if Congress9
will renew it.
Early Distributions
Early distributions are withdrawals made before the age of 59½. Early
distributions — just like distributions after the age of 59½ — are subject to federal
income tax. In order to discourage the use of IRA funds for pre-retirement uses, most10
early distributions are subject to a 10% tax penalty. The early withdrawal penalty
does not apply to distributions before the age of 59½ if they
!occur if the individual is a beneficiary of a deceased IRA owner;
!occur if the individual is disabled;


6 For a detailed explanation of withdrawals from IRAs, see CRS Report RL31770,
Individual Retirement Accounts and 401(k) Plans: Early Withdrawals and Required
Distributions, by Patrick Purcell.
7 Life expectancy is calculated differently depending on whether the account holder is single
and is an IRA beneficiary, has a spouse who is more than 10 years younger, has a spouse
who is not more than 10 years younger, whose spouse is not the sole beneficiary, or is
unmarried.
8 The Supreme Court ruled in Arizona Governing Comm. v. Norris, 463 U.S. 1073 (1983),
that employer-provided pension plans must use unisex tables in calculating monthly annuity
benefits. Citing this ruling, the IRS constructs its own unisex life expectancy tables. See

26 U.S.C. § 417(e)(3)(A)(ii).


9 See CRS Report RS22766, Qualified Charitable Distributions from Individual Retirement
Accounts: A Fact Sheet, by John J. Topoleski.
10 See 26 U.S.C. § 72(t).

!are in substantially equal payments over the account holder’s life
expectancy;
!are received after separation from employment after the age of 55;
!are for unreimbursed medical expenses in excess of 7.5% of adjusted
gross income;
!are for medical insurance premiums in the case of unemployment;
!are used for higher education expenses;
!are used to build, buy, or rebuild a first home up to a $10,000
withdrawal limit;
!occur if the individual is a reservist called to active duty between
September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2007;11 or
!were distributions to residents in areas affected by hurricanes
Katrina, Rita, and Wilma from around the storms’ landfalls to
January 1, 2007.
General “hardship” exceptions for penalty-free distributions from IRAs do not
ex ist.12
Rollovers
Rollovers are transfers of assets from one retirement plan to another upon
separation from the original employer. Rollovers are not subject to the 59½ rule, the

10% penalty, or the contribution limit. Rollovers can come from traditional IRAs,


employers’ qualified retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans), deferred compensation
plans of state or local governments (Section 457 plans), tax-sheltered annuities
(Section 403(b) plans), or the Thrift Savings Plan for federal employees.
Rollovers can be either direct trustee-to-trustee transfers or issued directly to
individuals who then deposit the rollovers into traditional IRAs. Individuals have 60
days to make the rollover contributions. Rollovers not completed within 60 days are
considered taxable distributions and may be subject to the 10% early withdrawal
penalty. In addition, in cases where individuals directly receive a rollover, 20% of
the rollover is withheld for tax purposes. Direct trustee-to-trustee transfers are not
subject to withholding taxes. In cases where individuals directly receive a rollover,
they must have an amount equal to the 20% withheld available from other sources
to place in the new IRA. If the entire distribution is rolled over within 60 days, the
amount withheld is applied to the individuals’ income taxes paid for the year.


11 H.R. 3997 would allow penalty-free distributions for reservists called to active duty after
December 31, 2007. As of March 3, 2008, differences between the House and Senate
versions of the bill (unrelated to this provision) have not been resolved.
12 H.R. 4627 and S. 2201 would provide for penalty-free withdrawals from IRAs, 401(k),
403(b), and 457 plans for qualified mortgage relief distributions. As of March 3, 2008, no
action has been taken on either bill.

Inherited IRAs
When the owner of an IRA dies, ownership passes to the account’s designated
beneficiary or, if no beneficiary has been named, to the decedent’s estate. Federal
law has different distribution requirements depending on whether the new owner is:
!a designated beneficiary who is the former owner’s spouse;
!a designated beneficiary who is not the former owner’s spouse; or
!a non-designated beneficiary.
The distribution rules are summarized in Table 5. The distribution rules also
depend on whether the IRA owner died prior to the required beginning date. The
required beginning date is the date on which distributions from the account must
begin. It is April 1 of the year following the year in which the owner of an IRA
reaches age 70½. Distributions from inherited IRAs are taxable income but are not
subject to the 59½ rule. Failure to take the required minimum distribution results in
a 50% excise tax on the amount not distributed as required.
Designated spouse beneficiaries who treat inherited IRAs as their own can roll
over inherited IRAs into traditional IRAs or, to the extent that the inherited IRAs are
taxable, into qualified employer plans (such as 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plans). Non-
spouse beneficiaries cannot roll over any amount into or out of inherited IRAs.
In some cases, IRAs have requirements for distributions by beneficiaries that are
more stringent than those summarized in Table 5. For example, an IRA’s plan
documents could require that a designated spouse or designated nonspouse
beneficiary distribute all assets in the IRA by the end of the fifth year of the year
following the IRA owner’s death. In such a case, the beneficiary would not have the
option to take distributions over a longer period of time. Unless the IRA plan
documents specify otherwise, it is possible to take distributions faster than required
in Table 5. For example, a beneficiary may elect to distribute all assets in a single
year. In such a case, the entire amount distributed is taxable income for that year.



CRS-9
Table 5. Inherited IRA Distribution Rules
Owner Dies Before Required Beginning DateOwner Dies after Required Beginning Date
Treat as own, does not have to take any distribution until the age ofTreat as own, does not have to take any distribution until the age of
70½, but is subject to the 59½ rule, or70½, but is subject to the 59½ rule, or
Spouse is named as the
designated beneficiaryKeep in decedent’s name and take distributions based on own lifeKeep in decedent’s name and take distributions based on own life
expectancy. Distributions do not have to begin until decedentexpectancy.
would have turned 70½.
Take distributions based on life expectancy for beneficiarys age asTake distributions based on the longer of
iki/CRS-RL34397of birthday in the year following the year of the owner’s death,(1) beneficiarys life expectancy, or
g/wA nonspouse is named as thereduced by one for each year since owner’s death.(2) owner’s life expectancy using age as of birthday in the year of
s.ordesignated beneficiarydeath, reduced by one for year after the year of death.
leakIf the nonspouse beneficiary does not take a distribution in year of
owner’s death, then all IRA assets must be distributed by the end of
://wikithe fifth year of the year following the IRA owner’s death.
httpMust distribute all IRA assets by the end of the fifth year of the yearTake a yearly distribution based on the owner’s age as of birthday in
Beneficiary is not named following the IRA owners death.the year of death, reduced by one for each year after the year of
death.
CRS analysis of IRS Publication 590.
The required beginning date is the date on which distributions from the account must begin. It is April 1 of the year following the year in which the owner of an IRA reaches



Roth IRAs
Roth IRAs were authorized by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-34).
The key differences between traditional and Roth IRAs are that contributions to Roth
IRAs are made with after-tax funds and qualified distributions are not included in13
taxable income; hence, investment earnings accrue free of taxes.
Eligibility and Contribution Limits
In contrast to traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs have income limits for eligibility.
Table 6 lists the adjusted gross incomes at which individuals may make the
maximum contribution and the ranges in which this contribution limit is reduced. For
example, a 40-year-old single taxpayer with income of $90,000 could contribute
$5,000 in 2008. A similar taxpayer making $110,000 could contribute $2,000.
Individuals 50 years or older can make additional $1,000 catch-up contributions.
The adjusted gross income limit for eligibility has been adjusted for inflation since
2007; the contribution limits will be adjusted for inflation beginning in 2009. A
worksheet for computing reduced Roth IRA contribution limits is provided in IRS
Publication 590.
Investment Options
Roth IRAs must be designated as such when they are set up. As with traditional
IRAs, they can be set up through many financial institutions. Transactions prohibited
within traditional IRAs are also prohibited within Roth IRAs.
Conversions and Rollovers
Individuals who (1) have modified adjusted gross incomes of less than $100,000
and (2) are not married filing a separate return may convert amounts from traditional
IRAs, SEP-IRAs, or SIMPLE-IRAs to Roth IRAs. Beginning in 2008, individuals
may rollover distributions directly from qualified retirement plans to Roth IRAs.
Amounts that would have been included in income if the conversion had not been
made must be included in income. Conversions can be a trustee-to-trustee transfer,
a same trustee transfer by redesignating the IRA as a Roth IRA, or a rollover directly
to the account holder. Inherited IRAs cannot be converted.
The rules for rollovers that apply to traditional IRAs, including completing a
rollover within 60 days, also apply. Additionally, withdrawals from a converted IRA
prior to five years from the beginning of the year of conversion are non-qualified
distributions and are subject to a 10% penalty.
Tax-free withdrawals from one Roth IRA transferred to another Roth IRA are
allowed if completed within 60 days. Rollovers from Roth IRAs to other types of
IRAs or to employer-sponsored retirement plans are not allowed.


13 Roth IRAs are named for former Senator William Roth (DE).

Withdrawals
The three kinds of distributions from Roth IRAs are (1) return of regular
contributions, (2) qualified distributions, and (3) non-qualified distributions. Returns
of regular contributions and qualified distributions are not included as part of taxable
income.
Return of Regular Contributions. Distributions from Roth IRAs that are
a return of regular contributions are not included in gross income nor are they subject
to the 10% penalty on early distributions.
Qualified Distributions. Qualified distributions must satisfy both of the
following:
!they are made after the five-year period beginning with the
first taxable year for which a Roth IRA contribution was
made,14 and
!they are made on or after the age of 59½; or because of
disability; or to a beneficiary or estate after death; or to
purchase, build, or rebuild a first home up to a $10,000
lifetime limit.
Non-Qualified Distributions. Distributions that are neither returns of
regular contributions nor qualified distributions are considered non-qualified
distributions. Although individuals might have several Roth IRA accounts from
which withdrawals can be made, for tax purposes non-qualified distributions are
assumed to be made in the following order:

1. the return of regular contributions,


2. conversion contributions on a first-in-first-out basis, and

3. earnings on contributions.


Non-qualified distributions may have to be included as part of income for tax
purposes. A worksheet is available in Publication 590 to determine the taxable
portion of non-qualified distributions. A 10% penalty applies to non-qualified
distributions unless one of the exceptions in 26 U.S.C. § 72(t) applies. The
exceptions are identical to those previously listed for early withdrawals from
traditional IRAs.


14 The five-year period is not necessarily five calendar years. Contributions made from
January 1 to April 15 could be considered made in the previous tax year.

Distributions after Roth IRA Owner’s Death
If the owner of a Roth IRA dies, the distribution rules depend on whether the
beneficiary is the spouse or a nonspouse. If the beneficiary is the spouse, then the
spouse can choose to treat the inherited Roth IRA as their own. If the spouse chooses
not to treat the inherited Roth IRA as their own, or if the beneficiary is a nonspouse,
then there are two options. The beneficiary can distribute the entire interest in the
Roth IRA (1) by the end of the fifth calendar year after the year of the owner’s death,
or (2) over the beneficiary’s life expectancy. As with an inherited traditional IRA,
a spouse can delay distributions until the decedent would have reached age 70½.
Distributions from inherited Roth IRAs are generally free of income tax. The
beneficiary may be subject to taxes if the owner of a Roth IRA dies before the end
of (1) the five-year period beginning with the first taxable year for which a
contribution was made to a Roth IRA or (2) the five-year period starting with the year
of a conversion from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. The distributions are treated
as described in the section of this report on non-qualified Roth IRA distributions.



CRS-13
Table 6. Roth IRA Eligibility and Contribution Limits for 2007 and 2008
2007 Modified Adjusted2008 Modified Adjusted
Filing StatusGross Income (AGI)2007 Contribution LimitsGross Income (AGI)2008 Contribution Limits
ngle,Less than $99,000 $4,000 ($5,000 if 50 years or older) orLess than $101,000 $5,000 ($6,000 if 50 years or older) or
household,AGI, whichever is smaller.AGI, whichever is smaller.
rried filing
arately (and didAt least $99,000 but less thanReduced contribution limitAt least $101,000 but less thanReduced contribution limit
t live with spouse$114,000$116,000
y time during$114,000 or moreIneligible to contribute$116,000 or moreIneligible to contribute
ear)
iki/CRS-RL34397
g/wried filingless than $10,000Reduced contribution limitLess than $10,000Reduced contribution limit
s.orarately and lived
leak spouse at any$10,000 or moreIneligible to contribute$10,000 or moreIneligible to contribute
e during the year
://wiki
httpried filingLess than $156,000 $4,000 each ($5,000 each if 50 andLess than $159,000$5,000 each ($6,000 each if 50 and
tly,older) or AGI, whichever is smaller. older) or AGI, whichever is smaller.
alifying
dow(er)At least $156,000 but less thanReduced contribution limitAt least $159,000 but less thanReduced contribution limit
$166,000 $169,000
$166,000 or moreIneligible to contribute$169,000 or moreIneligible to contribute
CRS analysis of IRS Publication 590 and IRS News Release IR-2007-171.



Retirement Savings Contribution Credit
The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-16)
authorized a non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,000 for eligible individuals who
contribute to IRAs or employer-sponsored retirement plans.15 The tax credit is in
addition to the tax deduction for contributions to traditional IRAs or other
employer-sponsored pension plans. To receive the credit, taxpayers must be at least

18 years old, not full-time students, not an exemption on someone else’s tax return,


and have adjusted gross income less than certain limits. The limits are in Table 7.
For example, individuals who make a $2,000 IRA contribution in 2007, have income
of $15,000, and list their filing status as single would be able to reduce their 2007 tax
liability by up to $1,000. Taxpayers must file form 1040, 1040A, or 1040NR. It is
not available on form 1040EZ, which may limit the use of the credit.
Table 7. Retirement Saving Contribution Credit Income Limits
for 2007 and 2008
2007 Income2008 IncomePercentage
Filing StatusLimitsLimitsCredit
$1 to $15,500$1 to $16,00050%
$15,501 to$16,001 to20%
Single, Married Filing Separately,$17,000$17,250$17,001 to$17,251 to10%
Qualifying Widow(er)$26,000$26,500
more thanmore than0%
$26,000 $26,500
$1 to $23,250$1 to $24,00050%
$23,251 to$24,001 to20%
$25,500 $25,875
Head of Household$25,501 to$25,876 to10%
$39,000 $39,750
more thanmore than0%
$39,000 $39,750
$1 to $31,000$1 to $32,00050%
$31,001 to$32,001 to20%
$34,000 $34,500
Married Filing Jointly$34,001 to$34,501 to10%
$52,000 $53,000
more thanmore than0%
$52,000 $53,000
Source: CRS analysis of IRS Publication 590 and IRS News Release IR-2007-171.


15 See also CRS Report RS21795, The Retirement Savings Tax Credit: A Fact Sheet, by
Patrick Purcell.

Qualified Distributions Related to
Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma
In response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, Congress approved the Gulf
Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-135). The act amended the Internal
Revenue Code to allow residents in areas affected by these storms who suffered
economic losses to take penalty-free distributions up to $100,000 from their
retirement plans, including traditional and Roth IRAs. The distributions must have
been received after August 24, 2005 (Katrina), September 22, 2005 (Rita), or October
22, 2005 (Wilma), and before January 1, 2007. The distributions are taxable income
and can be reported as income either in the year received or over three years (e.g., a
$30,000 distribution made in May 2006, can be reported as $10,000 of income in
2006, 2007, and 2008). Alternatively, part or all of the distribution may be repaid to
the retirement plan within three years of receiving the distribution without being
considered taxable income.
Qualified Distributions Related to
the Midwestern Disaster Relief Area
In response to severe storms, tornados, and flooding that occurred in certain
Midwestern states, the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 allows residents
of specified Midwest areas to take penalty-free distributions up to $100,000 from
their retirement plans, including traditional and Roth IRAs. This act was passed as
Division C of P.L. 110-343, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
The bill amends 26 U.S.C. 1400Q, which was enacted as part of the Gulf Opportunity
Zone Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-135). The distributions must be received after the date
in which the President declared an area to be a major disaster area and before January
1, 2010.16 Apart from for the dates and the areas affected, the provisions are identical
to the provisions for individuals who were affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and
Wilma.


16 The disaster areas are limited to Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.