Savers Credit

If you put money into a qualified retirement account for last year, you may be eligible to claim the Savers Credit. This non-refundable credit (meaning it can reduce taxes owed, but will not increase a refund). It provides a tax break to people earning low to moderate incomes, who are trying to save for retirement.

Personal contributions to 401(k) accounts, 403(b) accounts, 457 plans, and most IRA accounts may all qualify for the Savers Credit. To be eligible, a taxpayer must be 18 years old or more, not be a dependent on anyone else's taxes, and may not be a full-time student.

When taken in conjunction with other retirement savings tax benefits, the Savers Credit can go a long way to easing your tax burden. You may be able to claim a credit for (10, 20, or 50 percent of the first $2,000 contributed to your account). The percentage of that money you can claim is dependent upon two things: your adjusted gross income, and your filing status. The amount of credit you receive is decreased as your income increases.

Married couples using the "Married, Filing Jointly" status can claim a credit of up to $2,000, because if they fall into the right category, they may get credit for up to 50 percent of the first $4,000 they invested in a retirement account together.