Does my employer's 401(k) match count toward my annual contribution limit?

No. The IRS employee elective-deferral limit applies only to the money you defer from your own paycheck. The employer match sits under a separate, larger overall cap known as the Section 415(c) limit, which combines your deferrals, the match, and any after-tax contributions.

This is why someone maxing out their personal deferrals can still receive thousands in matching dollars without breaking any rule. The overall combined limit is also adjusted annually by the IRS, so verify current figures at irs.gov. Knowing the two limits are separate matters if you are trying to squeeze in after-tax contributions for a mega backdoor Roth, since the match eats into the room under that combined ceiling.