Guidance on New Saver's Match Program Issued
What happened
Treasury and the IRS issued Notice 2026-48 on August 7, 2026, announcing their intent to propose regulations for the new federal Saver's Match program, which begins in 2027. The notice starts implementation of President Trump's Executive Order 14403, which directs the government to raise public awareness of the Saver's Match and facilitate participation in eligible retirement savings vehicles.
What the Saver's Match is
The Saver's Match was created by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 and replaces the existing nonrefundable Saver's Credit for contributions to retirement accounts, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. It provides eligible taxpayers a federal matching contribution of up to 50% on the first $2,000 of qualified retirement savings contributions to an employer-sponsored plan or IRA — a match of up to $1,000 annually.
How it differs from the old Saver's Credit
Unlike the Saver's Credit — which only reduces tax liability to zero and can't generate a refund — the Saver's Match is a direct federal contribution deposited straight into an eligible retirement account, and it is fully refundable, meaning its value isn't limited by tax liability.
Income eligibility
Single filers earning up to $20,500 qualify for the full 50% match, phasing out between $20,500 and $35,500; for married couples filing jointly, the full match applies up to $41,000 in income, phasing out up to $71,000.
Claiming it
Eligible taxpayers who contribute in 2027 can claim the Saver's Match when they file their 2027 federal tax return in 2028; matching funds go into a retirement plan or IRA and grow alongside personal contributions. No action is needed in 2026.
TrumpIRA.gov rollout
Under the Executive Order, Treasury will officially launch TrumpIRA.gov on January 1, 2027, providing information about high-quality, low-cost IRAs, with a focus on workers who lack access to an employer-sponsored plan. The IRS expects more information for IRA providers wanting to be listed on the site to become available later in 2026.
Next steps
The IRS is requesting public comments on the rules in the notice — including how the Saver's Match recovery tax will work, methods for directing payments to IRAs and retirement plans, and procedures for financial institutions receiving improper payments — with comments due by October 5, 2026.
Sources
- Thomson Reuters Tax & Accounting – Guidance on new Saver's Match program issued
- IRS.gov – Treasury, IRS begin implementing Executive Order 14403 by announcing intent to issue proposed regulations on Saver's Match
- Current Federal Tax Developments – Unpacking the Saver's Match: Technical Guidance and Operational Frameworks Under Notice 2026-48
- The Accountant – US Treasury, IRS set out initial framework for Saver's Match rollout
- IRS.gov – Saver's Match
- Retirement Clearinghouse – The Definitive Guide to the Saver's Match