Saver's Credit Calculator (Form 8880)

What Is the Saver's Credit?

The Saver's Credit — formally the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit — is a non-refundable federal tax credit for low and moderate-income workers who contribute to qualified retirement accounts. It is claimed on IRS Form 8880 and is one of the most underclaimed credits in the tax code: per Treasury data, only ~12% of eligible filers actually claim it.

Saver's Credit 2026 — Income Limits and Rates

The credit rate is 50%, 20%, or 10% of contributions, based on AGI per IRS 2026 brackets:

• Married Filing Jointly: 50% if AGI ≤ $47,500 · 20% if $47,501–$51,000 · 10% if $51,001–$79,000 · 0% above $79,000
• Head of Household: 50% if AGI ≤ $35,625 · 20% if $35,626–$38,250 · 10% if $38,251–$59,250 · 0% above $59,250
• Single / MFS: 50% if AGI ≤ $23,750 · 20% if $23,751–$25,500 · 10% if $25,501–$39,500 · 0% above $39,500

The credit applies to up to $2,000 of contributions ($4,000 if MFJ) — meaning the maximum credit is $1,000 single / $2,000 MFJ at the 50% rate.

Eligibility Rules — Who Qualifies?

Per IRS guidance, you must:

• Be 18 or older at year-end
• Not be a full-time student during any 5 months of the year
• Not be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return
• Have made eligible contributions to a 401(k), 403(b), 457, traditional/Roth IRA, SEP, SIMPLE, ABLE account, or governmental TSP

How to Claim the Saver's Credit

Complete Form 8880 and attach to Form 1040. Distributions from retirement accounts in the past 2 tax years (and through the due date of the current return) reduce eligible contributions — this is the "testing period" rule designed to prevent gaming. The credit is non-refundable, meaning it can reduce your tax to $0 but won't generate a refund beyond that.

Sources: IRS Form 8880 instructions, IRS Publication 590-A, IRC §25B. Income limits adjust annually for inflation. Last updated 2026-05.