Is it possible to accidentally put too much into a Roth IRA? Suppose I have setup direct deposit to contribute $5500 annually to a Vanguard fund, but my math was off and I contributed $6000. What would happen to the extra cash? Would it still go into the fund? Or perhaps I earned some special dividend, pushing contributions over $5500. Would I be taxed on the dividend exceeding $5500?
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3If the dividend is paid from a fund inside the Roth IRS, it's earnings, not a contribution.– BrenBarnAug 7, 2014 at 20:10
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1I would think that the fund would prevent you from making a contribution above the limit, but would not be able to prevent you from accidentally contributing extra money if you had multiple accounts.– mhoran_psprepAug 8, 2014 at 3:28
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Aren't you supposed to have until April 15 to withdraw excess contributions for the previous year without penalty? I vaguely recall seeing that in IRS instructions somewhere. I'm making this a comment and not an answer because it's "I think I read somewhere" and not "this is how it is".– JayAug 8, 2014 at 20:33
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2 Answers
Extra contribution above your limit will be taxed flat 6% a year until you withdraw it (unless you make the withdrawal before the closest Tax Day), in addition to the (ordinary) income tax on all the gains.
The limits are for the contributions, not earnings. What you earn inside the account doesn't affect your contribution limits.
answered Aug 7, 2014 at 21:09
Fairmark.com notes what the taxes and penalties would be in the case of excess contributions which can happen. These may change but you would have issues as there are forms filed with the IRS from the custodian of your Roth IRA.
Cash is what goes into a Roth IRA and any dividends or capital gains in the account aren't considered contributions. Thus, it would be money coming out of a bank account rather than moving monies around that would be how one would have excess contributions.
