<prompt> Human: I have a Roth IRA. I contributed the maximum for 2013 and 2012 earlier this year. Can I begin contributing for 2014 before January 1, 2014, or do I just have to be patient?  <response>: Not before 2014. Technically you can only contribute money earned in 2014, so the soonest you cant put in the max say 5,500 would be when you first make 5,500 in 2014. But thats completely unenforceable, so Jan 1st will be the soonest. 