The primary benefits of contributing to an IRA are the tax deductions, the tax-deferred or tax-free growth on earnings and, if you are eligible, the non-refundable tax credits. To get the most out of contributing to your IRA, it's important to understand what these benefits mean and the limitations placed on them. (To learn about the general eligibility requirements of making contributions see IRA Contributions: Eligibility and Deadlines.)

Receiving a Tax Deduction
If you do not participate in an employer-sponsored plan, such as an SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA or qualified plan, contributions to your Traditional IRA are tax deductible. However, if you participate in either of these plans, you may be considered an active participant, and the deductibility of your contributions would be determined by your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) and your tax-filing status - that is, whether you file "married filing separately", "married filing jointly" or "single". (To learn about making IRA contributions while holding active-participant status, see Traditional IRA Deductibility Limits.)

If your Traditional IRA contribution is not deductible, you may still make a non-deductible IRA contribution to it. Alternatively, you may contribute to a Roth IRA, provided your MAGI satisfies the Roth-IRA eligibility limits for 2011, which are as follows:

Tax-Filing Status MAGI Roth IRA Contribution Limits
Single $107,000 or less $5,000 catch-up of $1,000
Between $107,000 and $122,000 Partial contribution
More than $122,000 No Roth-IRA contribution allowed
Married filing jointly $167,000 or less $5,000 catch-up of $1,000
Between $169,000 and $179,000 Partial contribution
More than $179,000 No Roth-IRA contribution allowed
Married filing separately Between $-0- and $10,000 Partial contribution
More than $10,000 No Roth-IRA contribution allowed

If your income falls between the ranges that allow only a partial contribution, you may use a special formula to determine that partial contribution. See the tutorial Roth IRAs: Eligibility Requirements for more on this formula.

Tip: If you are married but you lived apart from your spouse for the entire year, you are not treated as married for tax-filing purposes. Therefore, you would fall into the "single" category.

Should you decide to make a nondeductible contribution to your Traditional IRA, be sure to file IRS Form 8606, which helps you and the IRS keep track of the non-taxable balance in your Traditional IRAs, ensuring you do not pay taxes on distributions that should be tax-free.

Splitting Your Contribution
Splitting your contribution between your Traditional and Roth IRA may be beneficial in certain circumstances:
  • You are eligible for only a partial deduction on your Traditional IRA. Instead of contributing the nondeductible amount to a Traditional IRA, where earnings grow tax-deferred, you can contribute the amount to a Roth IRA where earnings grow tax-free.
  • You are eligible for only a partial Roth-IRA contribution. To maximize your contribution for the year, you can contribute the difference to your Traditional IRA.
Tip: Your combined contribution to your Roth and Traditional IRA should not exceed the IRA contribution limit, which for 2011 is $5,000 plus catch-up contribution. (To see limits for future years, check out Roth or Traditional IRA… Which Is the Better Choice?)

Tax Credit
You may be eligible for a non-refundable tax credit of up to 50% of your IRA contribution, not exceeding $1,000, depending on your adjusted gross income and tax-filing status. Here are the tax credits that are allowed for combinations of particular income ranges and tax-filing statuses:

2011
Credit Rate

 Married and files a joint return

 Files as head of household

Other category of filers
50%

 Up to $34,000

 Up to $25,500

 Up to $17,000
20%

$34,000 – $36,500

 $25,500 – $27,375

 $17,000 – $18,250
10%

 $36,500 – $56,500

 $27,375 – $42,375

 $18,250 – $28,250
0%

 $56,50+

 $42,375+

 $28,250+
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This non-refundable tax credit is allowed in addition to any deduction you may receive for your IRA contribution. For more information on this nonrefundable tax credit, see The Saver's Tax Credit: an Added Incentive to Fund a Retirement Account.

In order to claim the non-refundable tax credit, you must file IRS Form 8880, the most current version of which is available at www.irs.gov.

Conclusion
As the earnings in your Traditional IRA grow on a tax-deferred basis, and on a tax-free basis in your Roth IRA, you have along with the benefits discussed above, plenty of reasons to contribute to an IRA. However, you may want to consult with your financial advisor to determine if your savings should be directed to other vehicles. For instance, if you receive a matching contribution in a 401(k) plan, it may make better financial sense to contribute the amount necessary to receive the maximum match, and then, only if you can still afford to make contributions to your IRA. In addition, consult with your tax professional for assistance in determining your eligibility and deductibility.