Workers 49 and younger

• For the tax years 2010 and 2011, you can contribute up to $5,000 to your Roth IRA, provided you have enough earned income to cover that contribution. You cannot contribute to an IRA account with unearned income like interest and dividends, but as long as you have earned at least $5,000 during the previous year you can contribute the full amount to your Roth IRA.
  
  

Workers 50 and older

• Workers who are at least 50 years old can invest an extra $1,000 to their Roth IRA plans. For 2010 and 2011, workers in this age group can contribute up to $6,000 to their Roth IRA accounts. The IRS reviews both the standard and the catch-up contribution limits each year and adjusts them as necessary, so always check with the IRS, or with your tax expert, before planning your yearly Roth contribution.
  
  

Single Income Limits

• Some workers cannot contribute to a Roth IRA. If your income falls above the limits specified by the IRS, you cannot contribute to your IRA. For 2010, the availability of the Roth IRA contribution begins to phase out at $105,000 for single tax filers and phases out completely when taxpayers reach $120,000 in income. For 2011, the Roth IRA contribution begins to phase out at $107,000 and phases out completely at $122,000.
  
  

Married Filers

• If you are married, your eligibility for the Roth IRA contribution begins to phase out at an income level of $167,000. When your income rises above $177,000, you can no longer contribute to a Roth IRA. These limits apply to the 2010 tax year. For 2011 the phaseout period begins when you reach $168,000 and phases out completely when you reach $179,000 in earnings. If you expect your earnings to reach or approach that threshold, put off your annual contribution until your final income figures are in.