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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 219. Retirement savings

In force Text current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026) release point 119-121

Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).

Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 219

At a glance

Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.

Status
In force
Added
September 2, 1974 by Pub. L. 93–406
Last amended
December 29, 2022 by Pub. L. 117–328
Amendments
30 dated changes in the source credit
Length
7 subsections · 2,898 words · about 13 min to read
Defines
7 terms
Cross-references
cites 21; cited by 29 Code sections and 15 other regulations
Regulations
2 issued under this section
(a) Allowance of deduction

In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the qualified retirement contributions of the individual for the taxable year.

(b) Maximum amount of deduction
(1) In general The amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) to any individual for any taxable year shall not exceed the lesser of—
(A) the deductible amount, or
(B) an amount equal to the compensation includible in the individual’s gross income for such taxable year.
(2) Special rule for employer contributions under simplified employee pensions

This section shall not apply with respect to an employer contribution to a simplified employee pension.

(3) Plans under section 501(c)(18) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) with respect to any contributions on behalf of an employee to a plan described in section 501(c)(18) shall not exceed the lesser of—
(A) $7,000, or
(B) an amount equal to 25 percent of the compensation (as defined in section 415(c)(3)) includible in the individual’s gross income for such taxable year.
(4) Special rule for simple retirement accounts

This section shall not apply with respect to any amount contributed to a simple retirement account established under section 408(p).

(5) Deductible amount For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)—
(A) In general

The deductible amount is $5,000.

(B) Catch-up contributions for individuals 50 or older
(i) In general

In the case of an individual who has attained the age of 50 before the close of the taxable year, the deductible amount for such taxable year shall be increased by the applicable amount.

(ii) Applicable amount

For purposes of clause (i), the applicable amount is $1,000.

(C) Cost-of-living adjustment
(i) In general In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2008, the $5,000 amount under subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by
(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “calendar year 2007” for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
(ii) Rounding rules

If any amount after adjustment under clause (i) is not a multiple of $500, such amount shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of $500.

(iii) Indexing of catch-up limitation In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2023, the $1,000 amount under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by
(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “calendar year 2022” for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
If any amount after adjustment under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of $100.
(c) Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA
(1) In general In the case of an individual to whom this paragraph applies for the taxable year, the limitation of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) shall be equal to the lesser of—
(A) the dollar amount in effect under subsection (b)(1)(A) for the taxable year, or
(B) the sum of—
(i) the compensation includible in such individual’s gross income for the taxable year, plus
(ii) the compensation includible in the gross income of such individual’s spouse for the taxable year reduced by—
(I) the amount allowed as a deduction under subsection (a) to such spouse for such taxable year,
(II) the amount of any designated nondeductible contribution (as defined in section 408(o)) on behalf of such spouse for such taxable year, and
(III) the amount of any contribution on behalf of such spouse to a Roth IRA under section 408A for such taxable year.
(2) Individuals to whom paragraph (1) applies Paragraph (1) shall apply to any individual if—
(A) such individual files a joint return for the taxable year, and
(B) the amount of compensation (if any) includible in such individual’s gross income for the taxable year is less than the compensation includible in the gross income of such individual’s spouse for the taxable year.
(d) Other limitations and restrictions
[(1) Repealed. Pub. L. 116–94, div. O, title I, § 107(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3148]
(2) Recontributed amounts

No deduction shall be allowed under this section with respect to a rollover contribution described in section 402(c), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), or 457(e)(16).

(3) Amounts contributed under endowment contract

In the case of an endowment contract described in section 408(b), no deduction shall be allowed under this section for that portion of the amounts paid under the contract for the taxable year which is properly allocable, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to the cost of life insurance.

(4) Denial of deduction for amount contributed to inherited annuities or accounts

No deduction shall be allowed under this section with respect to any amount paid to an inherited individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity (within the meaning of section 408(d)(3)(C)(ii)).

(e) Qualified retirement contribution For purposes of this section, the term “qualified retirement contribution” means—
(1) any amount paid in cash for the taxable year by or on behalf of an individual to an individual retirement plan for such individual’s benefit, and
(2) any amount contributed on behalf of any individual to a plan described in section 501(c)(18).
(f) Other definitions and special rules
(1) Compensation

For purposes of this section, the term “compensation” includes earned income (as defined in section 401(c)(2)). The term “compensation” does not include any amount received as a pension or annuity and does not include any amount received as deferred compensation. For purposes of this paragraph, section 401(c)(2) shall be applied as if the term trade or business for purposes of section 1402 included service described in subsection (c)(6). The term “compensation” includes any differential wage payment (as defined in section 3401(h)(2)). The term “compensation” shall include any amount which is included in the individual’s gross income and paid to the individual to aid the individual in the pursuit of graduate or postdoctoral study.

(2) Married individuals

The maximum deduction under subsection (b) shall be computed separately for each individual, and this section shall be applied without regard to any community property laws.

(3) Time when contributions deemed made

For purposes of this section, a taxpayer shall be deemed to have made a contribution to an individual retirement plan on the last day of the preceding taxable year if the contribution is made on account of such taxable year and is made not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year (not including extensions thereof).

[(4) Repealed. Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(39)(A), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4043]
(5) Employer payments

For purposes of this title, any amount paid by an employer to an individual retirement plan shall be treated as payment of compensation to the employee (other than a self-employed individual who is an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1)) includible in his gross income in the taxable year for which the amount was contributed, whether or not a deduction for such payment is allowable under this section to the employee.

(6) Excess contributions treated as contribution made during subsequent year for which there is an unused limitation
(A) In general If for the taxable year the maximum amount allowable as a deduction under this section for contributions to an individual retirement plan exceeds the amount contributed, then the taxpayer shall be treated as having made an additional contribution for the taxable year in an amount equal to the lesser of—
(i) the amount of such excess, or
(ii) the amount of the excess contributions for such taxable year (determined under section 4973(b)(2) without regard to subparagraph (C) thereof).
(B) Amount contributed For purposes of this paragraph, the amount contributed—
(i) shall be determined without regard to this paragraph, and
(ii) shall not include any rollover contribution.
(C) Special rule where excess deduction was allowed for closed year

Proper reduction shall be made in the amount allowable as a deduction by reason of this paragraph for any amount allowed as a deduction under this section for a prior taxable year for which the period for assessing deficiency has expired if the amount so allowed exceeds the amount which should have been allowed for such prior taxable year.

(7) Special rule for compensation earned by members of the Armed Forces for service in a combat zone.

For purposes of subsections (b)(1)(B) and (c), the amount of compensation includible in an individual’s gross income shall be determined without regard to section 112.

(8) Election not to deduct contributions

For election not to deduct contributions to individual retirement plans, see section 408(o)(2)(B)(ii).

(g) Limitation on deduction for active participants in certain pension plans
(1) In general

If (for any part of any plan year ending with or within a taxable year) an individual or the individual’s spouse is an active participant, each of the dollar limitations contained in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (c)(1)(A) for such taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount determined under paragraph (2).

(2) Amount of reduction
(A) In general The amount determined under this paragraph with respect to any dollar limitation shall be the amount which bears the same ratio to such limitation as—
(i) the excess of—
(I) the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for such taxable year, over
(II) the applicable dollar amount, bears to
(ii) $10,000 ($20,000 in the case of a joint return).
(B) No reduction below $200 until complete phase-out

No dollar limitation shall be reduced below $200 under paragraph (1) unless (without regard to this subparagraph) such limitation is reduced to zero.

(C) Rounding

Any amount determined under this paragraph which is not a multiple of $10 shall be rounded to the next lowest $10.

(3) Adjusted gross income; applicable dollar amount For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Adjusted gross income Adjusted gross income of any taxpayer shall be determined—
(i) after application of sections 86 and 469, and
(ii) without regard to sections 85(c), 135, 137, 221, and 911 or the deduction allowable under this section.
(B) Applicable dollar amount The term “applicable dollar amount” means the following:
(i) In the case of a taxpayer filing a joint return, $80,000.
(ii) In the case of any other taxpayer (other than a married individual filing a separate return), $50,000.
(iii) In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, zero.
(4) Special rule for married individuals filing separately and living apart A husband and wife who—
(A) file separate returns for any taxable year, and
(B) live apart at all times during such taxable year,
shall not be treated as married individuals for purposes of this subsection.
(5) Active participant For purposes of this subsection, the term “active participant” means, with respect to any plan year, an individual—
(A) who is an active participant in—
(i) a plan described in section 401(a) which includes a trust exempt from tax under section 501(a),
(ii) an annuity plan described in section 403(a),
(iii) a plan established for its employees by the United States, by a State or political subdivision thereof, or by an agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing,
(iv) an annuity contract described in section 403(b),
(v) a simplified employee pension (within the meaning of section 408(k)), or
(vi) any simple retirement account (within the meaning of section 408(p)), or
(B) who makes deductible contributions to a trust described in section 501(c)(18).
The determination of whether an individual is an active participant shall be made without regard to whether or not such individual’s rights under a plan, trust, or contract are nonforfeitable. An eligible deferred compensation plan (within the meaning of section 457(b)) shall not be treated as a plan described in subparagraph (A)(iii).
(6) Certain individuals not treated as active participants For purposes of this subsection, any individual described in any of the following subparagraphs shall not be treated as an active participant for any taxable year solely because of any participation so described:
(A) Members of reserve components

Participation in a plan described in subparagraph (A)(iii) of paragraph (5) by reason of service as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces (as defined in section 10101 of title 10), unless such individual has served in excess of 90 days on active duty (other than active duty for training) during the year.

(B) Volunteer firefighters A volunteer firefighter—
(i) who is a participant in a plan described in subparagraph (A)(iii) of paragraph (5) based on his activity as a volunteer firefighter, and
(ii) whose accrued benefit as of the beginning of the taxable year is not more than an annual benefit of $1,800 (when expressed as a single life annuity commencing at age 65).
(7) Special rule for spouses who are not active participants If this subsection applies to an individual for any taxable year solely because their spouse is an active participant, then, in applying this subsection to the individual (but not their spouse)—
(A) the applicable dollar amount under paragraph (3)(B)(i) shall be $150,000; and
(B) the amount applicable under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) shall be $10,000.
(8) Inflation adjustment In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2006, each of the dollar amounts in paragraphs (3)(B)(i), (3)(B)(ii), and (7)(A) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting “calendar year 2005” for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
Any increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.

(Added Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 2002(a)(1), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 958; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XV, §§ 1501(b)(4), 1503(a), title XIX, §§ 1901(a)(32), 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1736, 1738, 1769, 1834; Pub. L. 95–600, title I, §§ 152(c), 156(c)(3), 157(a)(1), (b)(1), title VII, § 703(c)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2798, 2803, 2939; Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 101(a)(10)(D), (14)(B), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 202, 204; Pub. L. 97–34, title III, §§ 311(a), 312(c)(1), 313(b)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 274, 284, 286; Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 243(b)(2), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 103(c)(1), (2), (3)(A), (4), (5), (12)(A), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2375–2377; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 147(c), title IV, §§ 422(d)(1), 491(d)(6)–(8), title V, § 529(a), (b), title VII, § 713(d)(2), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 687, 798, 849, 877, 957; Pub. L. 99–514, title III, § 301(b)(4), title XI, §§ 1101(a), (b)(1), (2)(A), 1102(f), 1103(a), 1108(g)(2), (3), 1109(b), title XV, § 1501(d)(1)(B), title XVIII, § 1875(c)(4), (6)(B), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2217, 2411, 2413, 2417, 2434, 2435, 2740, 2894, 2895; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1011(a)(1), title VI, § 6009(c)(2), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3456, 3690; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §§ 7816(c)(1), 7841(c)(1), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2420, 2428; Pub. L. 102–318, title V, § 521(b)(4), July 3, 1992, 106 Stat. 310; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1677(c), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3020; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, §§ 1421(b)(1), 1427(a)–(b)(2), 1807(c)(3), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1795, 1802, 1902; Pub. L. 105–34, title III, §§ 301(a), (b), 302(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 824, 825, 829; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, §§ 6005(a), 6018(f)(2), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 796, 823; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title IV, § 4003(a)(2)(B), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–908; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 316(d)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–644; Pub. L. 107–16, title IV, § 431(c)(1), title VI, §§ 601(a), 641(e)(2), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 68, 94, 120; Pub. L. 108–357, title I, § 102(d)(1), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1428; Pub. L. 109–227, § 2(a), May 29, 2006, 120 Stat. 385; Pub. L. 109–280, title VIII, §§ 831(a), 833(b), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1002, 1004; Pub. L. 110–245, title I, § 105(b)(2), June 17, 2008, 122 Stat. 1629; Pub. L. 113–22, § 1, July 25, 2013, 127 Stat. 492; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(38), (39)(A), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4043; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §§ 11002(d)(1)(S), 11051(b)(3)(C), 13305(b)(1), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2060, 2090, 2126; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(55), (56), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1186; Pub. L. 116–94, div. O, title I, §§ 106(a), 107(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3148; Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 104(b)(2)(F), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3041; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9042(b)(5), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 122; Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title I, § 108(a), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5289.)

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Regulations under this section

Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 219

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Cross-references

Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.

This section cites 21 other sections

Cited by 29 Code sections

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Cited in 15 regulations not issued under it

Amendment history

From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 117–328Parts changed in 2022: (b)(5)(C)(iii)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 117–2Parts changed in 2021: (g)(3)(A)(ii)
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 116–260Parts changed in 2020: (g)(3)(A)(ii)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 116–94Parts changed in 2019: (d)(1) (f)(1)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 115–141Parts changed in 2018: (f)(1) (g)(8)
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 115–97Parts changed in 2017: (b)(5)(C)(i)(II) (f)(1) (g)(3)(A)(ii) (g)(8)(B)
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 113–295Parts changed in 2014: (b)(5)(A) (b)(5)(B)(ii) (b)(5)(C) (f)(4) (g)(2)(A)(ii) (g)(3)(B)(i) (g)(8) (h)
  8. Amended by Pub. L. 113–22Parts changed in 2013: (c)
  9. Amended by Pub. L. 110–245Parts changed in 2008: (f)(1)
  10. Amended by Pub. L. 109–280Parts changed in 2006: (b)(5)(C) (f)(7) (g)(8)
  11. Amended by Pub. L. 109–227
  12. Amended by Pub. L. 108–357Parts changed in 2004: (g)(3)(A)(ii)
  13. Amended by Pub. L. 107–16Parts changed in 2001: (b)(1)(A) (b)(5) (d)(2) (g)(3)(A)(ii)
  14. Amended by Pub. L. 106–554Parts changed in 2000: (c)(1)(B)(ii)(II)
  15. Amended by Pub. L. 105–277Parts changed in 1998: (g)(1) (g)(2)(A)(ii) (g)(3)(A)(ii) (g)(7)
  16. Amended by Pub. L. 105–206
  17. Amended by Pub. L. 105–34Parts changed in 1997: (c)(1)(B)(ii) (g)(1) (g)(2)(A)(ii) (g)(3)(B) (g)(7)
  18. Amended by Pub. L. 104–188Parts changed in 1996: (b)(4) (c) (f)(2) (g)(1) (g)(3)(A)(ii) (g)(5)(A)(vi)
  19. Amended by Pub. L. 103–337Parts changed in 1994: (g)(6)(A)
  20. Amended by Pub. L. 102–318Parts changed in 1992: (d)(2)
  21. Amended by Pub. L. 101–239Parts changed in 1989: (f)(1) (g)(3)(A)(ii)
  22. Amended by Pub. L. 100–647Parts changed in 1988: (g)(3)(A)(ii) (g)(4)
  23. Amended by Pub. L. 99–514Parts changed in 1986: (b)(2) (b)(2)(C) (b)(3) (c)(1)(B) (c)(2)(B) (e) (f)(1) (f)(3) (f)(7) (g) (h)
  24. Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (b)(2)(A)(ii) (b)(4) (b)(4)(B) (d)(2) (e)(1) (e)(3) (f)(1) (f)(3)(A)
  25. Amended by Pub. L. 97–448Parts changed in 1983: (b)(2)(A) (c)(2)(B) (d)(1) (e)(3)(D) (f)(1) (f)(3)(B)
  26. Amended by Pub. L. 97–248Parts changed in 1982: (d)(4)
  27. Amended by Pub. L. 97–34Parts changed in 1981: (a) (b) (b)(1) (b)(2)(A)(ii) (b)(3) (b)(6) (b)(7) (c) (d) (d)(1) (d)(2) (d)(3) (e) (f)(1) (f)(2) (f)(3) (f)(4) (f)(5) (f)(6) (g)
  28. Amended by Pub. L. 96–222Parts changed in 1980: (b)(4) (b)(7)
  29. Amended by Pub. L. 95–600Parts changed in 1978: (b)(4) (b)(7) (c)(3) (c)(4) (c)(5)
  30. Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a) (b)(2)(A)(iv) (b)(5) (b)(6) (c)(2) (c)(3) (c)(4)
  31. Added by Pub. L. 93–406

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle A Income Taxes
  2. Chapter 1 NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
  3. Subchapter B Computation of Taxable Income
  4. Part VII ADDITIONAL ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS

Nearby sections

Official notes

The Law Revision Counsel's notes for this section (amendments, effective dates and related laws) are long, so they have their own page.