PiggyIRA Contribution & Backdoor Roth Calculator
See how much you can put into a traditional or Roth IRA in 2026 — and whether a backdoor Roth makes sense when MAGI is too high for a direct Roth.
How this is calculated
2026 IRA limit: $7,500 ($8,600 age 50+). Roth MAGI phaseout: $153k–$168k single, $242k–$252k MFJ. If covered by a workplace plan, traditional deduction phases out at $81k–$91k single / $129k–$149k MFJ. A backdoor Roth is a nondeductible traditional contribution followed by a Roth conversion — the pro-rata rule taxes conversions when other pre-tax IRA balances exist.
Your situation
Backdoor Roth check
When the backdoor helps
If MAGI blocks a direct Roth, you can often still contribute nondeductible dollars to a traditional IRA and convert. That works cleanly when you have no other pre-tax IRA balances. Freelancers with SEP or Solo 401(k) balances should read the pro-rata warning carefully — a SEP IRA counts; many Solo 401(k) balances do not. Price the conversion itself with the Roth conversion tax calculator.
IRA vs Solo 401(k)
The IRA ceiling is far below what a profitable sole proprietor can put into a Solo 401(k). Use IRAs for Roth access and spillover savings; use the employer plan for the big annual contribution.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 IRA contribution limit?
What are the 2026 Roth income limits?
What is the pro-rata rule?
Sources
Every formula on this page is checked against an independent implementation before publication. How we check our math →