The Saver’s Tax Credit can give an added boost to those saving for retirement.
You may be eligible for a tax credit, which could reduce your federal income tax liability, for contributing to your 401(k), 403(b), 457 or IRA plan. If you qualify, you may receive a Saver’s Tax Credit of up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples). The deduction is claimed in the form of a non-refundable tax credit, ranging from 10% to 50% of your annual contribution.
Remember, when you contribute a portion of each paycheck into your retirement plan on a pre-tax basis, you are reducing the amount of your income subject to federal taxation. And, those assets grow tax-deferred until you receive a distribution. If you qualify for the Saver’s Tax Credit, you may even further reduce your taxes.
Eligibility depends on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), your tax filing status, and your retirement plan contributions. To qualify for the credit, you must be age 18 or older and cannot be a full-time student or claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. You generally must also subtract the amount of distributions from the contributions you made.
Use this chart to calculate your credit for the tax year 2021. First, determine your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) – your total income minus all qualified deductions. Then refer to the chart below to see how much you can claim as a tax credit if you qualify.
The credit is applied to your contribution up to $2,000, or $2,000 each if married filing jointly.
For example:
- A single employee whose AGI is $20,000 defers $2,000 to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan will qualify for a tax credit equal to 20% of their total contribution. That’s a tax savings of $400.
- A married couple, filing jointly, with a combined AGI of $35,000 each contributes $2,000 to their workplace retirement plans or IRAs. They will receive a 50% credit on both of their contributions, resulting in tax savings of $2,000.
With the Saver’s Tax Credit, you may owe less in federal taxes the next time you file. To claim the credit, use IRS Form 8880, “Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions.”