MARRIED SEPARATE FILERS:

a. If only one spouse has earned income, that individual can contribute up to $3,000 per year ($3,500 if 50 or older) to an IRA account of the nonworking spouse and up to $3,000 per year ($3,500 if 50 or older) to an IRA account of the individual.

When claiming the deduction between spouses, the working spouse will usually claim all of the deduction. However, if the nonworking spouse has any earned income, then the nonworking spouse must claim the deduction to the extent of his/her earned income, not to exceed $3,000 ($3,500 if 50 or older). (Examples of how to prorate)

The total contributions to IRAs for both spouses cannot exceed the combined compensation of the couple for the tax year or $6,000, whichever is less. (For each spouse who is 50 or older, the amount is $3,500, or $7,000 total if both spouses are 50 or over.)

b. If both spouses earned income and made contributions to an IRA account, each spouse must claim his or her own contribution, not to exceed $3,000 per spouse. (For each spouse who is 50 or older, the amount is $3,500.)

c. If both spouses made contributions to an IRA but only a portion of the contribution is deductible on the Federal return, the amount of the IRA deduction that is allowed for Federal income tax purposes must be allocated between the spouses in the ratio of the IRA contribution made by each spouse to the total IRA contribution made by both spouses. (Examples of how to prorate)

d. For Keogh Plans, SEPs, SIMPLE, or Qualified Plans, each spouse must claim his or her individual contributions.