MAGI — Modified Adjusted Gross Income
What it actually means
MAGI is calculated differently for each tax provision that uses it. Common adjustments added back to AGI: foreign earned income exclusion, student loan interest deduction, IRA contribution deduction, savings bond interest, employer adoption benefits. The exact formula varies — MAGI for Roth eligibility is computed differently than MAGI for IRMAA, which is computed differently than MAGI for NIIT.
MAGI is not a single number. It's a family of calculations that share the name. Tax software and CPAs handle this; for solo planning, confirm WHICH MAGI definition applies to the specific provision. The IRMAA-MAGI in particular is what trips up retirees — it includes tax-exempt muni interest (which is normally tax-free), so muni bonds can push you into a higher Medicare premium bracket.
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