📅 IRA Deadline

IRA Contribution Deadline 2026
Wednesday, April 15, 2026

The deadline to make a 2025 tax year IRA contribution is April 15, 2026. That's the unextended tax filing deadline. After it passes, you can no longer fund your 2025 IRA — ever.

Create a Reminder

Done in seconds. No sign-up required.

The dates that matter

2026 IRA contribution deadline at a glance

  • 2025 tax year deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
  • 2026 tax year deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2027
  • 2026 contribution window opens: January 1, 2026
  • 2025 contribution limit (under 50): $7,000
  • 2025 contribution limit (50+): $8,000
  • 2026 contribution limit (under 50): $7,500
  • 2026 contribution limit (50+): $8,600
  • Tax extension impact: none — deadline stays April 15

IRA contribution deadlines by year

The IRA contribution deadline for any given tax year is April 15 of the following year, with weekend and holiday adjustments. Here's the full table:

Tax year Contribution deadline Day of week
2024 April 15, 2025 Tuesday (passed)
2025 April 15, 2026 Wednesday (this year)
2026 April 15, 2027 Thursday
2027 April 17, 2028 Monday (weekend shift)

Note: when April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Emancipation Day in DC, the deadline shifts to the next business day.

Different IRAs, different deadline rules

Most articles treat "the IRA deadline" as one date. It isn't. Here's how each account type works:

🏦

Traditional & Roth IRA

Deadline is April 15, 2026 for the 2025 tax year. Filing a tax extension does not extend this. The window from January 1 to April 15 is the only time you can choose which tax year your contribution counts toward.

💼

SEP IRA

Deadline matches the business tax filing deadline, including extensions. Sole proprietors get until April 15 (or October 15 with extension). S-corps and partnerships have a March 15 base deadline (September 15 with extension).

Knowing the date isn't the hard part

You probably already knew the deadline was April 15. The harder part is acting on it. Most people don't decide to skip a contribution. They decide to do it next week, then next month, until April 14 arrives and they realize the bank transfer won't post in time.

Brokerages typically need 2 to 3 business days to clear an ACH transfer. If you initiate the transfer on April 14, 2026, the contribution may not post until April 17. That counts toward the 2026 tax year, not 2025.

A reminder set for early February gives you 9 weeks of buffer. See the last-minute IRA contribution guide for the brokerage-specific cutoffs, or set up a recurring annual reminder on the main IRA contribution page.

Set a reminder so April 15, 2027 doesn't catch you off guard

The 2026 IRA contribution deadline is April 15, 2027. Set a reminder now for early February 2027 — you'll get an email well before the window closes, with enough time to actually fund the account.

Create a Reminder

Done in seconds. No sign-up required.

Common questions about the IRA contribution deadline

What is the IRA contribution deadline for the 2025 tax year?

April 15, 2026. This is the unextended federal income tax filing deadline. Both Traditional and Roth IRA contributions for the 2025 tax year must be made (deposited and posted at the brokerage) by this date.

Does filing a tax extension extend the IRA contribution deadline?

No. A Form 4868 extension extends only your filing deadline to October 15. It does not extend the IRA contribution deadline, which remains April 15. SEP IRAs are different — those follow the employer's tax deadline including extensions.

When does the 2026 IRA contribution window open?

January 1, 2026. From January 1 to April 15, 2026, you can designate contributions for either tax year 2025 or 2026 — you must specify which on the brokerage form. After April 15, 2026, all new contributions count toward 2026 only.

What is the deadline for SEP IRA contributions?

The SEP IRA deadline matches the business tax filing deadline including extensions. For most sole proprietors filing Schedule C, that's April 15 (or October 15 with an extension). For S-corps and partnerships, it's March 15 (or September 15 with an extension).

What if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday?

The deadline shifts to the next business day. April 15, 2026 falls on a Wednesday, so the deadline is April 15, 2026. In years when April 15 lands on a Saturday or Sunday, you get the following Monday. Emancipation Day in DC can also push the deadline by one day.

How late on April 15 can I still make a contribution?

The contribution must be received and posted by your brokerage before midnight in their time zone. Most brokerages accept ACH transfers initiated by 11:59 PM, but bank transfers can take 1-3 business days to clear. To be safe, initiate any transfer by April 12 at the latest.

Don't Find Out the Deadline Passed

One free email reminder, set to fire weeks before April 15. Recurring every year. No account, no app.

Set My IRA Deadline Reminder

Last modified: