Non-working wife contribution to tIRA/Roth IRA

[jamesbond007]

So we file jointly and my income is around $200K. My wife is a stay at home mom. So can she contribute to tIRA directly? I plan to do a backdoor Roth next month. Can she do that too? What's the impact on taxes? Can we claim a deduction coming from her?

[zephyr911]

http://www.moneycrashers.com/spousal-ira-rules-eligibility/

[seattlecyclone]

She will be able to make a full IRA contribution of some sort because of the spousal IRA rule. Since your wife is not covered by a work retirement plan, she can make a full-sized deductible traditional contribution if your MAGI is under $183k. This could be the case if, for example, your gross compensation is $200k and you contribute $18k to a traditional 401(k). She can make a full "front door" Roth contribution if your MAGI is below $184k. She can make a "back door" Roth contribution at any income level, provided she has no existing traditional IRA funds.

[Vagabond76]

One strategy for married early retirees is to earn $11,000 in compensation between the two of them so they can continue making IRA contributions.  Part-time/side gig would do it.

[jamesbond007]

Great. Thank you. My MAGI would be under $183K for sure. I will wait till Feb/Mar to make sure it actually is less than that and do it then. Thanks.