You may be able to take an income tax credit of up to $1,000 (up to $2,000 if filing jointly) if you make an eligible contribution to an employer sponsored retirement plan or an IRA. This credit is a nonrefundable tax credit. A nonrefundable credit cannot exceed the amount of the tax liability. This credit is in addition to any IRA contribution or contributions that you may make to a qualified plan
How the Credit is Determined – The credit is computed based on the your filing status and your adjusted gross income. The IRS provides a table that indicates an applicable % ranging from 10% to 50% to establish the amount of the credit.
Eligibility To obtain this credit, the following conditions must be met:(1) You must have made a contribution to an IRA or qualified retirement savings plan. (2)You must be at least 18 years old as of December 31, 2009. (3) You cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person. (4)You cannot be a full-time student. (5) You had to be born before January 2, 1992. (6) Your adjusted gross income cannot be greater than $27,750 if single, or $41,625 for a head of household or $55,500 if married filing jointly if married filing jointly.
Limitations to the Credit – Usually distributions decrease eligible contributions. In this connection, contributions taken in determining the credit must be reduced by distributions received over a definite period of time, which the IRS considers as the “test period”. The current tax year, the following tax year up to the due date of the tax return including filed extensions, plus the two preceding tax years consist of the “test period”. Though, trustee to trustee transfers and rollover distributions do not offset the amount of the credit.In addition distributions from a military retirement plan do not reduce the credit.
How to Take the Credit You can take the credit on the form entitled “Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions” on Form 8880. You are entitled to the credit if you file Forms 1040 or 1040A. If you generally file Form 1040EZ then file Form 1040. The IRS permits you to file your 2009 tax return claiming an IRA contribution that will be made in 2010, in that case the IRS will consider that contribution providing it is made prior to the filing date of your tax return in the next year, 2010, as an allowable contribution when determining the amount of this credit. The amount of the retirement savings contribution credit claimed by you cannot be greater than your income tax liability less foreign tax credits plus alternative minimum tax liabilities.
This article is not intended to be legal or accounting advice. Tax laws are complex, change constantly and each situation is unique. The reader is advised to do his or her own due diligence and consult competent professionals in these areas.
Learn more about how we can help you determine if you are eligible for the retirement savings tax credit and other new IRS tax credits and about our competitively priced paperless and internet based approach to tax preparation at affordable prices. Sandor(Sandy) E. Lenner,CPA-MBA has provided accounting and business services for over 35 years and works part-time at his wife’s CPA firm .
