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The short answer is no. But read on before you close the tab.

If you are asking this question today, after April 16, the traditional and Roth IRA contribution deadline for tax year 2025 has passed. For most people, that window is closed.

That is the honest answer, and it is worth knowing clearly rather than discovering it buried in fine print after you have already tried to make a contribution.

But before you move on, there are two things worth understanding: one exception that may still apply to you, and one pivot that can make this year different.

The Exception: If You Have Self-Employment or Business Income

If you are self-employed, a sole proprietor, a consultant, or a small business owner, including TAMU faculty with outside consulting income, you may still have a window open.

A SEP-IRA (Simplified Employee Pension) operates on a different deadline than a traditional or Roth IRA. Rather than following the April 15 tax filing deadline, SEP-IRA contributions can be made up through your tax return’s extended due date, including extensions.

That means if you filed for an extension by April 15, 2026, your SEP-IRA contribution deadline extends with it, typically to October 15, 2026 for most filers.

A few things worth knowing:

The contribution limit is significant. For 2025, SEP-IRA contributions are capped at 25% of net self-employment income, up to $70,000. That is a meaningful number for anyone with a productive year of business or consulting income.

The plan does not need to have existed before yesterday. A SEP-IRA can be established and funded up through the extended deadline for the prior tax year. If you do not have one yet, that window is still open.

You do need to have filed or be filing an extension. If you already filed your 2025 return without an extension and without a SEP-IRA contribution, this window has closed for you as well.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, that is a conversation worth having with your CPA or financial planner before you assume the answer is no.

The Pivot: What to Do With the Rest of 2026

Missing a contribution deadline is not a financial crisis. It is information. The more useful question now is what you do with the next eight and a half months.

Here are the 2026 contribution limits worth knowing as you plan ahead:

For TAMU employees and others with access to both a 403(b) and a governmental 457(b), these are separate plans with separate limits. That means up to $49,000 in combined elective deferrals before catch-up contributions apply. Most people with access to both are only using one. For a full breakdown, see the companion post: Can Educators Contribute to Both a 403(b) and a 457(b)?

The limits went up this year. The calendar is still mostly ahead of you. The question is whether your contribution elections reflect that reality or whether they were set a few years ago and quietly stayed there.

This Post Is Part of a Series

If you found this post useful, last month’s post covers what your completed tax return may be telling you about the year ahead, including retirement gaps, investment account structure, charitable giving strategy, and what small business owners should be thinking about right now. Read the companion post here: Now That the Return Is Filed: What to Do with What You Found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA for 2025?

For most people, no. The traditional and Roth IRA contribution deadline for tax year 2025 was the April 15 tax filing deadline, which has passed. Once that date is behind you, the window to contribute for 2025 is generally closed.

Is there any way to still make a 2025 retirement contribution?

Possibly, through a SEP-IRA. If you have self-employment or business income and filed for an extension by April 15, 2026, your SEP-IRA contribution deadline extends with your return, typically to October 15, 2026 for most filers. A SEP-IRA can also be established and funded for the prior tax year up through that extended deadline.

What is the SEP-IRA contribution limit?

For 2025, SEP-IRA contributions are capped at 25% of net self-employment income, up to $70,000. For 2026, the cap rises to $72,000. This makes the SEP-IRA a meaningful option for anyone with a productive year of business or consulting income.

Can I contribute to both a 403(b) and a 457(b) in the same year?

Yes. For those with access to both a 403(b) and a governmental 457(b), these are separate plans with separate limits, allowing up to $49,000 in combined elective deferrals in 2026 before catch-up contributions apply. Most people with access to both are only using one.

A Final Thought

Missing the April 15^th deadline does not mean missing the year. It means starting today.

If you would like to talk through what your 2025 return revealed and what a realistic 2026 contribution plan looks like for your situation, I am glad to connect.

Disclosure

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. The Erskine Group, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.

This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal.