What do I need to do to qualify for the savers' tax credit?
All you need to do to qualify for this valuable tax break is to contribute to a retirement-savings plan and earn less than a certain amount.
This frequently overlooked tax credit can trim your tax bill by up to $1,000 per person as a reward for contributing to an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-favored retirement plan. The credit is available to married couples whose adjusted gross income was less than $52,000 in 2007 and singles whose AGI was under $26,000.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
You'll get the maximum credit if you contributed at least $2,000 to a retirement plan and your AGI was less than $31,000 if married, or $15,500 if single.
This tax break can be a great deal for young workers just starting out, who contribute even just a little bit to their 401(k)s, or anyone who earns within the income limits. Children under age 18 and full-time students, however, do not qualify.
This is a tax credit, which is much more valuable than a tax deduction. A tax deduction lowers your taxable income -- so a $1,000 deduction would lower your tax bill by $250 if you're in the 25% tax bracket. But a $1,000 tax credit lowers your tax bill by a full $1,000.
Use IRS Form 8880 to claim the credit and for help with the calculations. Also see the savers' tax credit bulletin from the IRS and Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements.
You still have until April 15, 2008, to contribute to an IRA for 2007 and qualify for the credit.
For more tax breaks, see The 13 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions.
If you discover that you've missed any of these tax breaks in past, you can file an amended return to retroactively claim your savings and get an extra refund. You have up to three years after the original due date of your return to file an amended return -- use Form 1040X. For more information see the Instructions for Form 1040x and Amending Your Tax Return.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Rally Despite Rising Geopolitical TensionThe main indexes were mixed on Tuesday but closed well off their lows after an early flight to safety.
-
What's at Stake for Alphabet as DOJ Eyes Google's ChromeAlphabet is higher Tuesday even as antitrust officials at the DOJ support forcing Google to sell its popular web browser. Here's what you need to know.
-
Premium Tax Credit: Are You Eligible For This Health Insurance Tax Break?Tax Credits The tax credit can help qualifying individuals pay for coverage from the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplace.
-
IRS: Here’s How to Recover Your Tax Records After a Natural DisasterTax Records Your tax documents can help you get federal relief faster, the IRS says.
-
Voters Approve New Veteran Property Tax ReliefTax Relief Thanks to the election, some Veterans will soon see expanded property tax exemptions.
-
Nevada Approves Diaper Tax Relief Amid Childcare CrisisTax Relief Nevada voters have expanded sales tax relief to diapers. But are prices still too high?
-
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2024: How Much Will You Get?Tax Credits The refundable amount for workers with or without children is slightly higher this year. Here’s what you need to know.
-
Five Cities With the Lowest Property Tax in the U.S.Property Tax Property taxes are ultra-low in these popular metro areas, but is housing affordable?
-
IRS Expands Tax Breaks for Breast Cancer Screenings, ContraceptivesHealthcare Now you can get a tax deduction or reimbursement for certain medical expenses, like over-the-counter birth control and condoms.
-
Colorado Sending Billions in TABOR RefundsState Tax Are you receiving a TABOR refund with your 2025 Colorado state income tax filing? Don’t miss the deadline.
