The contributions you make to your 401(k) plan can reduce your tax liability at the end of the year as well as your tax withholding each pay period. However, you don’t actually take a tax deduction on your income tax return for your 401(k) plan contributions. This is because you receive the benefit of a tax deduction every time you make a contribution with pre-tax dollars.
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Contributions to Your 401(k)The 401(k) plan contributions you elect to make come directly out of your salary. Since the contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, your employer does not include these amounts in your taxable income for the year. At the end of the year, when you receive your W-2 form that shows your earnings, you will notice that your wages subject to federal income tax are lower because of your 401(k) plan contributions.
Since the wages are not counted in your taxable income to begin with, you do not take a deduction when you file your return. However, when you prepare your tax return, it’s possible to calculate how much income tax your 401(k) contributions saved you. For example, if you contribute $8,000 to your 401(k) during the year, and that amount would be taxed in the 24 percent bracket if it were included in taxable income, then your tax savings is $1,920.
Increase in Your Take-Home PayYour 401(k) plan contributions also reduce the amount of your income tax withholding. Each time you get paid, your employer withholds money for your federal income taxes based on your expected taxable income.
However, if you make 401(k) plan contributions, the amount of money subject to withholding will decrease since your taxable income is less than your actual salary. The result is more money in your pocket each pay period.
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The Saver’s Tax CreditIn addition to the tax savings available for your contributions to a 401(k), the IRS also offers the Saver’s Credit if your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) doesn’t exceed certain maximums. This credit offers a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your income tax bill. In 2022, single taxpayers whose AGI did not exceed $20,500 ($19,750 for 2021) could receive a credit up to $1,000, and married taxpayers filing jointly with an AGI of $41,000 ($39,500 for 2021) or less could receive up to $2,000.
If your AGI does not exceed IRS income thresholds, you are at least 18 years of age, you are not a full-time student, and you are not a dependent of another taxpayer, then you can decrease your tax liability with the Saver’s Credit. TurboTax also automatically gives you the Saver’s Credit if you are eligible based on your entries regarding your retirement contributions.
Misconceptions About 401(k) ContributionsThe contributions that you make to a 401(k) plan only reduce your income taxes, not your Social Security and Medicare taxes. These two taxes only apply to your earned income, but you do not get to claim any deductions before these taxes are assessed. For example, if your gross wages for the month are $2,500 and you contribute $400 to your 401(k) plan from it, there is withholding on the full $2,500 for Social Security and Medicare even though for federal income tax purposes, there is withholding on $2,100.
As you file your 2021 taxes remember you can still contribute up to $6,000 ($7,000 if you are 50 and older) to your IRA by the tax deadline and you may be able to get a tax deduction on your 2021 taxes. Just remember to tell your retirement account administrator that your contribution is for 2021 and not 2022.
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