# Roth IRA and MFS

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roth-ira-and-mfs/118180>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 10, 2002, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roth-ira-and-mfs/118180 "2002-07-10T03:40:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cleops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@cleops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cleops)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roth-ira-and-mfs/118180/1 "2002-07-10T03:40:31Z")

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What is the reasoning behind not allowing either spouse to contribute to their Roth if they make more than $10,000 and file MFS?

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**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roth-ira-and-mfs/118180/2 "2002-07-10T12:04:26Z")

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I didn’t know there was such a restriction.

Is this disallowed - if so I have to call our accountant.

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**Author:** ![cleops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@cleops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cleops)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2002, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roth-ira-and-mfs/118180/3 "2002-07-11T00:34:36Z")

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If it isn’t disallowed, then I have to call my accountant to put my dang money back in my Roth!

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**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2002, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roth-ira-and-mfs/118180/4 "2002-07-11T01:15:37Z")

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I think you should call him back

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**Author:** ![cleops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@cleops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cleops)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roth-ira-and-mfs/118180/5 "2002-07-12T00:01:21Z")

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Yes, it seems that if one does not live with spouse at any time during the year one can contribute to a Roth with no phase-out until the upper reaches of five figures.  
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who responded to my query, and for the thorough manner in which those who did, did.😃