Jamie Rehak Partner | Managing Director, Lawley Retirement Advisors View Bio

Get the CREDIT You Deserve!

You may be eligible for a valuable incentive, which could reduce your federal income tax liability, for contributing to your company’s 401(k) or 403(b) plan. If you qualify, you may receive a Tax Saver’s Credit of up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly) if you made eligible contributions to an employer sponsored retirement savings plan. The deduction is claimed in the form of a non-refundable tax credit, ranging from 10% to 50% of your annual contribution.

Remember, when you contribute a portion of each paycheck into the plan on a pre-tax basis, you are reducing the amount of your income subject to federal taxation. And, those assets grow tax-deferred until you receive a distribution. If you qualify for the Tax Saver’s Credit, you may even further reduce your taxes.

Your eligibility depends on your adjusted gross income (AGI), your tax filing status, and your retirement contributions. To qualify for the credit, you must be age 18 or older and cannot be a full-time student or claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

Use this chart to calculate your credit for the tax year 2021. First, determine your AGI – your total income minus all qualified deduction. Then refer to the chart below to see how much you can claim as a tax credit if you qualify.

Filing Status/Adjusted Gross Income for 2021

Amount of CreditJointHead of HouseholdSingle/Others
50% of amount deferred$0 to $39,500$0 to $29,625$0 to $19,750
20% of amount deferred$39,501 to $43,000$29,626 to $32,250$19,751 to $21,500
10% of amount deferred$43,001 to $66,000$32,251 to $49,500$21,501 to $33,000

For example:

  • A single employee whose AGI is $17,000 defers $2,000 to their retirement plan will qualify for a tax credit equal to 50% of their total contribution. That’s a tax savings of $1,000.
  • A married couple, filing jointly, with a combined AGI of $42,000 each contributes $1,000 to their respective retirement plans, for a total contribution of $2,000. They will receive a 20% credit that reduces their tax bill by $400.

With the Tax Saver’s Credit, you may owe less in federal taxes the next time you file by contributing to your retirement plan today!

 

 

Distributions before the age of 59 1/2 may be subject to an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty. This is for informational purposes only; we suggest that you speak with a tax professional about your individual situation.

Lawley Retirement Advisors, LLC (LRA) is a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information herein has been provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to serve as investment advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal invested. Past performance does not guarantee future performance. LRA is not affiliated with The National Association of Plan Advisors Securities offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Lawley Retirement Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Lawley Retirement Advisors, LLC and Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. are separate entities.
Form CRS Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures ACR# 3303567 10/20