SEP catch-up contributions

Can a self-employed person (age 55) with no employees make catch-up contributions to his existing SEP? (non-SARSEP).

Our tax software allows it, but I can’t see in the IRS Publ 560 where it expressly allows them.



No catch ups, unless it’s a SARSEP. Of course, a regular traditional IRA contribution can be made to a SEP IRA account including the catch up, but the contribution must be recorded as such. Since the SEP is considered an employer retirement plan, the TIRA contribution may not be deductible.

…and , if the SEP contribution is being made this year for last year, the participant would be considered an active participant for this year.

Therefore, (if the SEP contribution is made this year for last year) it would not affect the participant’s ability to deduct an IRA contribution made for last year.
See http://www.retirementdictionary.com/active-participant.htm

The software is probably covering all bases. Does it ask if the SEP is a salary deferral SEP? If it does, and you responded that it is not, it should not give the option of allowing catch-up to the SEP…unless, as Allan noted, the catch-up is for a regular IRA contribution .

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