Tax calculator

Free saver's credit calculator

Enter your retirement contribution and AGI — this saver's credit calculator applies the 2024 50%/20%/10% credit rates (max $2,000 single / $4,000 MFJ in contributions) to estimate your non-refundable credit, updated live, as you type.

InputsLive
Gross pay (this period)
$
Federal income tax rate
%
Estimate from your tax bracket or W-4.
State income tax rate
%
Enter 0 if your state has no income tax.
Other deductions
$
Health insurance, 401(k), etc.
Result
Net pay
$3,267.5
Deductions: $1,732.5 · FICA: $382.5
Net pay$3,267.5
Federal tax$1,100
State tax$250
FICA (SS + Med)$382.5

Estimated only. Actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections, filing status, and local laws. Consult your payroll provider for exact figures.

Results are estimates. Consult a professional.

How it's calculated

How the Saver's Credit calculator works

The Saver's Credit (Retirement Savings Contributions Credit) rewards lower- and moderate-income taxpayers who contribute to a retirement account. The credit equals a percentage — 50%, 20%, or 10% — of the first $2,000 you contribute to an eligible account ($4,000 if married filing jointly). The percentage is determined solely by your adjusted gross income and filing status; it has nothing to do with how much you contribute beyond the $2,000 cap.

Contribution base = min(eligible contributions, $2,000 single / $4,000 MFJ)
Credit amount = contribution base × credit rate
Credit rate = 50% | 20% | 10% | 0% — based on AGI tier
Maximum credit = $1,000 single / $2,000 MFJ
IRS Form 8880: Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions; IRS Rev. Proc. 2023-34 (2024 inflation adjustments).
Example

Worked example: single filer contributing to a Roth IRA

Example: Single filer, AGI $21,000, $1,800 Roth IRA contribution

Jordan is single, age 28, with an AGI of $21,000 and contributes $1,800 to a Roth IRA this year. Jordan is not a full-time student and is not claimed as a dependent. Here is exactly how the credit is calculated.

Step 1 — Identify credit rate: AGI $21,000 ≤ $23,000 → 50% rate
Step 2 — Cap contribution: min($1,800, $2,000) = $1,800
Step 3 — Credit = $1,800 × 50% = $900
$900
Jordan receives a $900 federal tax credit — on top of any tax-deductible benefit from a traditional IRA — simply for making a retirement contribution they were already planning to make.
Quick reference

2024 Saver's Credit AGI thresholds and credit amounts

The table below shows the credit you receive at each income tier for a $2,000 contribution (the maximum eligible base for a single filer). Married filing jointly filers use double these income thresholds and can claim up to $2,000 total (based on a $4,000 combined base).

Filing statusAGI range (2024)Credit rateCredit on $2,000
Single / MFS / QSS≤ $23,00050%$1,000
Single / MFS / QSS$23,001 – $25,00020%$400
Single / MFS / QSS$25,001 – $38,25010%$200
Single / MFS / QSS> $38,2500%$0
Married Filing Jointly≤ $46,00050%$2,000
Married Filing Jointly$46,001 – $50,00020%$800
Married Filing Jointly$50,001 – $76,50010%$400
Married Filing Jointly> $76,5000%$0
Head of Household≤ $34,50050%$1,000
Head of Household$34,501 – $37,50020%$400
Head of Household$37,501 – $57,37510%$200
Head of Household> $57,3750%$0

Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2023-34 (2024 limits). MFS = Married Filing Separately; QSS = Qualifying Surviving Spouse.

Practical tips

Tips for maximizing the Saver's Credit

Because the credit rate drops sharply at each income threshold, a small reduction in AGI can jump you from the 10% tier to the 20% or 50% tier — turning an above-the-line deduction into a double win.

  • Contribute to a traditional IRA or 401(k) first. Pre-tax contributions reduce your AGI directly, which can move you into a higher credit rate tier — compounding the tax benefit.
  • Contribute to an HSA if eligible. HSA contributions are also above-the-line deductions, reducing AGI without itemizing. A self-only HSA contribution of up to $4,150 (2024) could shift your credit rate.
  • Check if you qualify before writing off the credit. Many people assume they earn too much — but AGI after retirement contributions can fall within the eligible range even when gross wages do not.
  • Avoid the three disqualifiers. You cannot claim the credit if (1) you are under age 18, (2) you are a full-time student, or (3) someone else claims you as a dependent. If any apply, contributing is still wise — just not credit-eligible.
  • Eligible accounts include IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), SIMPLE, SEP, and 457(b). Rollovers and employer contributions do not count; only your own elective deferrals and IRA contributions qualify.
Accuracy & limits

Accuracy and limitations

This calculator uses 2024 IRS AGI thresholds from Rev. Proc. 2023-34 and applies the correct credit rate for your filing status. It caps the eligible contribution at $2,000 (single) or $4,000 (MFJ) and applies the non-refundable rule, meaning the estimated credit will not exceed your estimated tax liability. Enter your AGI after any above-the-line deductions you plan to take — the result changes if you contribute to a traditional IRA or 401(k), since those lower your AGI.

The calculator does not account for the credit reduction rules in Form 8880 lines 4–6 (certain distributions received in the two prior years and the current year reduce the credit base). If you took a retirement distribution recently, your actual credit may be lower. Consult IRS Form 8880 instructions or a tax professional for the precise figure.

Glossary

Saver's Credit terms defined

Your total income minus above-the-line deductions such as IRA contributions, student loan interest, and HSA contributions. AGI — not gross wages — determines your credit rate tier.
A tax credit that reduces your federal income tax to zero but cannot produce a refund. If your credit exceeds your tax liability, the excess is lost.
The portion of your salary you choose to contribute to a workplace retirement plan such as a 401(k), 403(b), or SIMPLE. These count toward the Saver's Credit contribution base.
One of four percentages — 50%, 20%, 10%, or 0% — applied to your eligible contribution. The tier is set by your AGI and filing status.
A filing status available for two years after a spouse's death if you have a dependent child. QSS uses the same Saver's Credit thresholds as single filers.
The IRS form used to calculate and claim the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit. It is filed with your Form 1040.
A deduction you can take without itemizing — such as IRA contributions, HSA deposits, or student loan interest — that reduces AGI and can improve your Saver's Credit rate.
About

About this Saver's Credit calculator

This calculator runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is sent to any server.

Browse more in our tax calculators, or explore the complete library on the free calculators page.

Questions

Frequently asked questions about the free saver's credit calculator

A saver's credit calculator is a free online tool that helps you calculate the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit. Up to 50% credit on retirement contributions for low/middle income. It runs entirely in your browser with instant results and no sign-up.
No — these are simplified estimates based on 2024 brackets. Real tax filing requires considering all your deductions, credits, AMT, state taxes, and the latest IRS guidance. Use professional tax software or a CPA for filing.
Marginal rate is what you pay on your next dollar of income. Effective rate is total tax ÷ total income — typically much lower because of the progressive brackets and deductions.
Federal only. State tax varies by jurisdiction; some states have no income tax (TX, FL, WA, etc.), others up to 13%+ (CA, NY). Add state tax separately based on your state.

Want a calculator built for your business?

Customize any of our 400+ tools to match your brand, or commission a new one tailored to how your business actually calculates — pricing, payroll, quotes, anything. Deployed on your domain, math runs in your visitors' browsers.