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Level 10
March 7, 2026
Solved

Filing 1040 required to make a Roth contribution

  • March 7, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 17 views

TP has $1,000 of earned income (wages) and is not required to file a tax return. (Also, no income tax withholding to recover.) TP wants to contribute to a Roth. Is filing a 1040 required? Avoiding an IRS notice?

Best answer by George4Tacks

Required - I don't see any real reason to be required. 

A good idea - I think so. You have already invested time with this person, so I would go ahead and file. Statute of limitations starts to run when you file, so start the clock.  I like to cross my eyes, when I put dots on my Tees. 

 

2 replies

George4Tacks
Level 15
March 7, 2026

Required - I don't see any real reason to be required. 

A good idea - I think so. You have already invested time with this person, so I would go ahead and file. Statute of limitations starts to run when you file, so start the clock.  I like to cross my eyes, when I put dots on my Tees. 

 

Answers are easy. Questions are hard!
BobKamman
Level 15
March 7, 2026

There is no way IRS is going to send a notice to someone who they know earned $1,000 and they know contributed $1,000 to an IRA.  Bill him $600 an hour for telling him not to file.  It took a minute, so $10 fee is reasonable.