To contribute to a Roth IRA, you generally need to meet two main criteria: you must have and your income must fall within IRS-defined limits . 1. Earned Income Requirement

Interest, dividends, pension or annuity payments, Social Security benefits, or unemployment compensation.

You must have "taxable compensation" (money earned from working) to contribute.

You can contribute up to the annual limit, but you cannot contribute more than you actually earned that year. If you only earned $3,000, that is your maximum contribution. 2. 2026 Income Limits (MAGI) Roth IRA income limits for 2026 - Fidelity Investments

Wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, professional fees, and net earnings from self-employment.