<prompt> Human: Hi guys, Im starting a full time job out of college next week and I had a simple question about the Roth IRA. I understand that only earned income can go towards a Roth IRA. Does that mean I can only contribute to the Roth through a direct deposit to my IRA account from the employer, or am I able to transfer money myself directly from my checkingsavings account to the IRA as long as I dont exceed my earnings or the 5500 contribution limit? Thanks for your help.  <response>: You contribute to an IRA from a bank account,not from paycheck withholdings. The brokerage wont do any checking about your earned income, theyll just take your deposits. But next year, they send some paperwork to the IRS. If the contributions exceed the earned income you claim, then the IRS will expect things to be fixed. 