Determining the maximum IRA contribution sounds like something reserved for accountants and tax lawyers and well beyond a regular person's ability.
It seems highly technical.
However, thanks to the information age, it's something any person can do for himself or herself.
How does one go about it? Here are a few simple steps to help anyone determine their maximum IRA contribution.

• Determine the year for which you'd like to calculate the maximum IRA contribution.
  This is important because the maximum limit changes from for year to year.
  For example, the limit went up by $1000 from the year 2007 to 2008.
  It increases by $500 from the year 2008 onwards.
  
• Determine which category in age you belong to.
  This is important also because the maximum limit shifts with two categories of age groups: Those younger than 50 years of age and those who are 50 years old or older by the end of the calculation year.
  The two categories are subject to different maximum limits.
  The older group normally has a higher limit than the younger, usually by $1000.
  For the first category, the maximum amount is the given maximum limit for that year (see the first step above) or the amount of taxable compensation for that year.
  The same goes for the group in the second category (50 years old or older by the end of the calculation year).
  It is also important to remember that both the traditional IRA and Roth IRA have the same limit.
  One must also bear in mind the time range for making a contribution.
  The deadline for a certain year usually runs until April 15th of the next year.
  
• It's also important to factor in whether or not there is already a plan in place sponsored by your employer.
  This is because it affects the amount of tax deductions on the contributions of traditional IRA.
  If there is a 401(k) plan in place, it changes how one would operate significantly.
  For those who already have a 401 (k) in place, their income will affect the amount of tax deductions they can gain.
  Typically, those who earn above $50,000 may not be eligible for tax deductions.
  For those who have no such scheme in place, they will be able to take advantage of tax deductions regardless of their income.
  
• For those who find this entire process too cumbersome, there are other ways.
  Thanks to technology, there are some online resources that one can use to calculate the maximum IRA contribution.
  

These resources are helpful because they are run by persons who sieve through all the technicalities of the law of taxation from.
Bear in mind that these can change from year to year.
It is therefore helpful if someone looks at them on your behalf.
All one has to do is to go online to these sites and fill in personal information.
The rest is calculated for you.
It's easy and helpful when you need to find your maximum IRA contribution.