Tax Preparation Help  
  Home > Tax-Help Archives > 2007 Tax Help Archives > IRS Publications > IRS Publication 571
Publication 571 2008 Tax Year

6.   Catch-Up Contributions

Table of Contents

    The most that can be contributed to your 403(b) account is the lesser of your limit on annual additions or your limit on elective deferrals.

    If you will be age 50 or older by the end of the year, you may also be able to make additional catch-up contributions. These additional contributions cannot be made with after-tax employee contributions.

    You are eligible to make catch-up contributions if:

    • You will have reached age 50 by the end of the year, and

    • The maximum amount of elective deferrals that can be made to your 403(b) account have been made for the plan year.

    The maximum amount of catch-up contributions is the lesser of

    • $5,000, or

    • The excess of your compensation for the year, over the elective deferrals that are not catch-up contributions.

    Figuring catch-up contributions.   When figuring allowable catch-up contributions, combine all catch-up contributions made by your employer on your behalf to the following plans.

    • Qualified retirement plans. (To determine if your plan is a qualified plan, ask your plan administrator.)

    • 403(b) plans.

    • Simplified employee pension (SEP) plans.

    • SIMPLE plans.

      The total amount of the catch-up contributions on your behalf to all plans maintained by your employer cannot be more than the annual limit. For 2007 and 2008, the limit is $5,000

      
    Tip
     Catch-up contributions do not affect your MAC. Therefore, the maximum amount that you are allowed to have contributed to your 403(b) account is your MAC plus your allowable catch-up contribution.

    You can use Worksheet C in chapter 9 to figure your limit on catch-up contributions.

    Previous | Index | Next

    Publications Index | 2007 Tax Help Archives | Tax Help Archives Main | Home