Retirement Savings Contributions Credit 2013
You may be eligible for a tax credit if you make eligible contributions (other than rollover contributions) to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or to an individual retirement arrangement.
Eligible Plans
The eligible plans for the retirement savings contribution credit include: traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457, SEP, SIMPLE, 501(c)(18)(D) and contributions to a qualified retirement plan as defined in section 4974(c) (including federal Thrift Savings Plan).
Additional Requirements and Limitations
Other important eligibility requirements and limitations include:
1. Income Limitations
You cannot exceed the following income limits in order to be able to take the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit (these are 2013 numbers):
• Single, married filing separately, or qualifying widow(er), with income up to $29,500
• Head of Household with income up to $44,250
• Married Filing Jointly, with income up to $59,000
2. Age Limitation
To be eligible for the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit you must have been born before January 2, 1996.
3. Full-Time Students Not Eligible
You cannot have been a full-time student during the calendar year if you wish to claim the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit (there are some specific definitions regarding the “student” status).
4. Cannot Be a Dependent on Another Person’s Tax Return
If you were claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2013 tax return, you cannot take the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit.
5. Distributions are Deducted From Contributions
When figuring the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, you generally must subtract the amount of distributions you have received from your retirement plans from the contributions you have made. This rule applies to distributions received in the two years before the year the credit is claimed, the year the credit is claimed, and the period after the end of the credit year but before the due date – including extensions – for filing the return for the credit year.
Credit amount
If you make eligible contributions to a qualified IRA, 401(k) and certain other retirement plans, you may be able to take a credit of up to $1,000 or up to $2,000 if filing jointly. The credit is a percentage of the qualifying contribution amount, with the highest rate for taxpayers with the least income.
Also note that the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit is a benefit in addition to other tax benefits which may result from the retirement contributions. For example, most workers at these income levels may deduct all or part of their contributions to a traditional IRA.