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What is the deadline for making a contribution for an IRA account?

Even after you've rung in the new year, there is still a window of opportunity to make an IRA or ESA contribution for the previous year. Between January 1 and the tax filing deadline (generally April 15) you may designate contributions to an IRA or ESA account as being for the previous tax year. You might hear this referred to as a "carry back" contribution.

If you wish to make an IRA or ESA contribution for the previous tax year you have two options: set up an electronic funds deposit from your checking or savings account, or send a check or money order. Instructions for both options are listed below.


Electronic Funds Deposit From Checking or Savings:
  1. Sign into your ShareBuilder Account (you probably had this one).
  2. Click on the Accounts tab.
  3. Go to the Transfer Money > Deposit & Withdrawal section.
  4. Select your bank account as the From Account and your IRA or ERA account as your To Account.
  5. Enter the amount of the deposit and a request date.
  6. Between January 1 and the tax filing deadline, you can select the year you would like to contribute to.
  7. Click Next.
  8. Verify and authorize your deposit request, click Submit.

Tip: If making a prior year contribution, setup of a next-day electronic funds deposits must be completed by 5:00 PM ET on the business day before the tax filing deadline. The funds will be available in your cash balance on the business day following the request.


Mail a Check or Money Order:
  1. Sign into your ShareBuilder Account.
  2. Click on the Accounts tab.
  3. Go to the Transfer Money > Deposit & Withdrawal section.
  4. Select the Checks tab, followed by the ShareBuilder account you want to deposit a check into.
  5. Select Mail a Check to your ShareBuilder Account.
  6. Click the View and Print link and print the form.
  7. Mail your check or money order and the completed mail a check form to the address listed on the form.

Tip: Be sure to check the prior year Annual Contribution box on the mail a check form before sending it to us. Also, print your ShareBuilder Account number on the check or money order being sent.

Fun Fact: All electronic funds transfers from your Automatic Investment Plan, payments of the pricing program's monthly subscription, recurring deposits or payroll deposit are designated as contributions for the year in which they are received.