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March 26, 2024
Question

IRA Contribution Doesn't Appear to be Fully Deductible in Premier 2023 Software

  • March 26, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views

I am trying to understand why the deduction for my '23 IRA Contribution of $7500 seems low.  It doesn't appear that the '23 Premier version is giving me credit for the full amount of the deduction, which I believed would reduce my taxes dollar-for dollar.  I am married, filing jointly.  I have entered that I am not covered by a retirement plan at work, but that my wife is covered by one at hers.  We are under the $218,000 AGI threshold.  The full $7500 contribution appears to only reduce my tax bill by $1769, which seems low.  Is this correct, or is there possibly a bug in the software?  Thank you for any help you can offer.

    2 replies

    Employee
    March 26, 2024

    The $7,500 contribution does not reduce your tax dollar for dollar.  It is a tax deduction, not a tax credit.

     

    The result on your tax return sounds correct.  It seems that without the $7500 deduction about $5950 of your taxable income falls in the 24% tax bracket.  With the deduction is seems that your taxable income is reduced to about $189,200.

    March 26, 2024

    When you file as a couple, and your spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work and you aren't, with a MAGI of less than $218,000, you are allowed a full deduction of your IRA contribution (up to $7,500 if you are 50 or over).

    See this IRS document

     

    But the IRA deduction is a tax deduction, it reduces your taxable income, but doesn't reduce your tax liability dollar for dollar.  

     

    Looks like your marginal rate of taxation is 24%, and the $7,500 deduction reduces your taxes by $7,500 x 24%  = $1,800.

     

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