Low and moderate-income workers can take steps now to save for retirement and earn a special tax credit, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
The saver’s credit helps offset part of the first $2,000 workers voluntarily contribute to IRAs and to 401(k) plans and similar workplace retirement programs. Also known as the retirement savings contributions credit, the saver’s credit is available in addition to any other tax savings that apply.
Eligible workers may still have time to make qualifying retirement contributions and get the saver’s credit on their tax return. People have until April 15 of the subsequent calendar year to set up a new individual retirement arrangement or add money to an existing IRA. However, elective deferrals (contributions) must be made by the end of the current year to a 401(k) plan or similar workplace program, such as a 403(b) plan for employees of public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations, a governmental 457 plan for state or local government employees, and the Thrift Savings Plan for federal employees. Employees who are unable to set aside money for this year may want to schedule their contributions for next year soon so their employer can begin withholding them in January.
The saver’s credit can be claimed by:
- Married couples filing jointly with incomes up to $68,000;
- Heads of Household with incomes up to $51,000; and
- Married individuals filing separately and singles with incomes up to $34,000.
Like other tax credits, the saver’s credit can increase a taxpayer’s refund or reduce the tax owed. Though the maximum saver’s credit is $1,000, $2,000 for married couples, the IRS cautioned that it is often much less and, due in part to the impact of other deductions and credits, may, in fact, be zero for some taxpayers.
A taxpayer’s credit amount is based on his or her filing status, adjusted gross income, tax liability and amount contributed to qualifying retirement programs. Form 8880 is used to claim the saver’s credit, and its instructions have details on figuring the credit correctly.
In 2016, saver’s credits were claimed by 5.6% of taxpayers on their individual income tax returns. Saver’s credits claimed on these returns averaged $182 among all filing statuses.
The saver’s credit supplements other tax benefits available to people who set money aside for retirement. For example, most workers may deduct their contributions to a traditional IRA. Though Roth IRA contributions are not deductible, qualifying withdrawals, usually after retirement, are tax-free. Normally, contributions to 401(k) and similar workplace plans are not taxed until withdrawn.
Other special rules that apply to the saver’s credit include the following:
- Eligible taxpayers must be at least 18 years of age.
- Anyone claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return cannot take the credit.
- A student cannot take the credit. A person enrolled as a full-time student during any part of 5 calendar months during the year is considered a student.
Certain retirement plan distributions reduce the contribution amount used to figure the credit. This rule applies to distributions received after 2010 and before the due date, including extensions, of the current tax return. Form 8880 and its instructions have details on making this computation.
Started in 2002 as a temporary provision, the saver’s credit was made a permanent part of the tax code in legislation enacted in 2006. To help preserve the value of the credit, income limits are now adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation. More information about the credit is on IRS.gov.