Roth IRA

[ThePokerAddict]

Hi there. I'm 18 and want to start off right by throwing in 4,000 to a Roth IRA. A few questions:

- I don't have $4000 currently earned by the time I will turn 19 next month. Do I have to have the $4000 turned exactly by the time I'm 19 in earned income from a job or can I put it into a roth IRA later on still counting as my first year?

That's essentially what I'm looking at, I wanted to start off on the right track but have only earned about 2k so far from working part time.

Appreciate any help, thanks /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[TGoldman]

If I were you, I would hurry up and throw as much money as you can into a Roth IRA account before April 15. Doing so before April 15 will allow you to count that as your 2004 contribution. That way you'll still be eligible for the full $4,000 max contribution for 2005.

[BradleyT]

Your birthday has nothing to do with it, it goes by the tax year.

You can contribute up to $3,000 for last year (2004) until April 15th.