Saver's Credit Calculator
Estimate your 2026 Saver's Credit (Retirement Savings Contributions Credit) for IRA and 401(k) contributions -- up to $1,000 ($2,000 married filing jointly). Income limit: $80,500 joint.
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Additional Details
Total 2026 Saver's Credit
$1,000.00
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Your Applicable Percentage
50.00%
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
The Saver's Credit -- officially the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit (26 U.S.C. Sec. 25B) -- is a nonrefundable federal tax credit equal to 50%, 20%, or 10% of up to $2,000 of retirement contributions made by an "eligible individual" (age 18+, not claimed as a dependent, not a full-time student). Unlike the EITC's smooth phase-out, the applicable percentage is a three-tier CLIFF based on AGI: for 2026, married joint filers get 50% up to $48,500 AGI, 20% up to $52,500, 10% up to $80,500, and 0% above that. Head of Household breakpoints are 75% of the joint amounts ($36,375/$39,375/$60,375), and Single/Married Filing Separately/Qualifying Surviving Spouse breakpoints are 50% of the joint amounts ($24,250/$26,250/$40,250). Critically, the $2,000 contribution cap applies PER eligible individual -- for joint filers, each spouse has their own separate cap, so a couple where both spouses each contribute $2,000 and qualify for the 50% rate can receive up to $2,000 combined, exactly as IRS Form 8880 computes it with separate "You" and "Spouse" columns.
How to Use This FSA Calculator Calculator
- 1
Enter your information
Input the required values. The calculator is pre-filled with your state's data where applicable — adjust to match your specific situation for accurate results.
- 2
Review default values
Check that the pre-filled state-specific data (tax rates, median values, etc.) matches your local situation. You can override any value to customize the calculation.
- 3
Analyze your results
Review the calculated outputs. Use the breakdown table to understand exactly how each factor contributes to the final result.
- 4
Compare across states
Use the related state calculators linked below to compare results across different states — useful for relocation planning and financial comparison.
Example Calculation
Here's a practical example using this state's data.
The calculator uses state-specific public data and documented estimates where available — including tax rates, median values, and cost benchmarks — to produce a personalized estimate for the inputs you provide.
Result: Results will vary based on your individual inputs. Use this calculator as a starting point, then adjust the values to test different scenarios. The methodology section below explains exactly how each result is calculated.
What Affects Your Results
State-Specific Inputs
Each state has unique rates, fee schedules, and regulatory requirements that can affect results. This page's methodology and source card identify which inputs are sourced, modeled, or user-adjustable.
Income Level
Many calculations are income-dependent due to progressive tax brackets, phase-outs, or income-based eligibility thresholds. Higher income doesn't always mean proportionally higher costs.
Local Variations
State averages may not reflect your specific city or county. Local taxes, fees, and market conditions can vary ±20% from state averages.
Annual Changes
Tax rates, fee schedules, and regulations change. Check the recorded source-review date and verify critical numbers with the relevant agency.
Tips & Best Practices
- Always verify pre-filled values against your actual data. State averages are a good starting point but your situation may differ significantly.
- Run multiple scenarios by adjusting key inputs to see how changes affect your results. This helps with planning and decision-making.
- Compare your results across states using the related calculators linked below — especially valuable if you're considering relocating or doing business in another state.
- Bookmark this page to recalculate periodically as rates change. Check the page source card and review date before relying on a pre-filled value.
- Consult a qualified professional for major financial decisions. These calculators provide estimates based on standard formulas — a CPA or financial advisor can factor in your complete financial picture.
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StateCalc Team
Editorial Team
The StateCalc team builds free financial calculators using data from official government sources including the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, and state revenue departments. All formulas are validated by an automated test suite and cross-referenced against published data.
Our editorial standardsFrequently Asked Questions
How much is the Saver's Credit for 2026?
The Saver's Credit is worth 50%, 20%, or 10% of up to $2,000 in retirement contributions per eligible individual, depending on your AGI. The maximum possible credit is $1,000 for a single filer (50% x $2,000), or $2,000 for a married couple filing jointly where both spouses each contribute at least $2,000 and qualify for the 50% rate.
What are the 2026 Saver's Credit income limits?
For 2026, married joint filers get the 50% rate up to $48,500 AGI, 20% up to $52,500, and 10% up to $80,500 (no credit above that). Head of household filers use $36,375/$39,375/$60,375, and single/married-filing-separately/qualifying-surviving-spouse filers use $24,250/$26,250/$40,250.
Is the Saver's Credit refundable?
No. The Saver's Credit is entirely nonrefundable -- it can reduce your tax liability to $0, but any excess is lost. This is a key difference from the EITC and the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit.
Can both spouses claim the Saver's Credit on a joint return?
Yes. Each spouse is a separate "eligible individual" under Sec. 25B with their own $2,000 contribution cap. Both spouses use the same applicable percentage (determined by your combined joint AGI), but the cap and the underlying contribution requirement apply separately to each spouse's own retirement contributions -- one spouse cannot use the other's unused cap.
Is the Saver's Credit going away?
Yes, in part. 26 U.S.C. Sec. 25B(d)(1)(B) limits the retirement-contribution component of this credit to tax years beginning before January 1, 2027 -- meaning 2026 is the final year you can claim this credit on IRA/401(k)-type contributions. Starting with the 2027 tax year, the SECURE 2.0 Act's new "Saver's Match" (26 U.S.C. Sec. 6433) takes its place -- a federal matching contribution deposited directly into your retirement account rather than a credit computed on your tax return. Contributions to an ABLE account remain eligible for the Sec. 25B credit indefinitely; only the retirement-plan component sunsets.
Who is not eligible for the Saver's Credit?
You cannot claim the credit if you are under age 18 as of the end of the tax year, if you are claimed as a dependent on someone else's return, or if you were a full-time student for any part of five calendar months during the year (even if you also worked). These disqualifications apply per person -- if you are married filing jointly and only one spouse is a full-time student, the other spouse can still claim the credit on their own contributions.
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