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Tax Guide 

IRS Tax Law Changes

Americans Abroad

Capital Gains, Interest and Dividends

Deductions

Dependents

Education Credits, Scholarships

Foreign Bank Reporting

Foreign Nationals

Social Security, Medicare, Self Employment Tax

State Taxes

Tax Deadlines, Extensions, Late Payments, Estimated Tax

Tax Resident, Nonresident, Dual Status

Other Topics


Information on this website is not intended to be written advice concerning tax matters, but is for general information purposes only and based on tax laws that are subject to change.  Applicability of the information to specific situations should be determined through consultation.

IRS Tax Law Changes



2023 Tax Changes

Credits for New Clean Vehicles
Used Clean Vehicle Credit

Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.  For personal residences in the U.S. (not properties you rent out).  The credit increases from a $500 lifetime credit (through 2022) to a maximum annual credit of $1,200 for qualified property placed in service on or after January 1, 2023.   However, qualified electric or natural gas heat pump water heaters, electric or natural gas heat pumps, and biomass stoves and biomass boilers have a separate aggregate yearly credit limit, 30% of the cost, up to $2,000. Thus, the maximum total yearly energy efficient home improvement credit amount may be up to $3,200.   Qualified solar property has a 30% credit.

2022 Tax Changes

Reporting rules changed for Form 1099-K. Taxpayers should receive Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions, by January 31, 2023, if they received third party payments in tax year 2022 for goods and services that exceeded $600 (previously $20,000 with over 200 transactions).

Some tax credits return to 2019 levels. This means that affected taxpayers will likely receive a significantly smaller refund compared with the previous tax year. Changes include amounts for the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child and Dependent Care Credit.

No above-the-line charitable deductions. During COVID, taxpayers could take up to a $600 charitable donation tax deduction on their tax returns. However, in 2022, those who take a standard deduction may not take an above-the-line deduction for charitable donations.

More people may be eligible for the Premium Tax Credit. For tax year 2022, taxpayers may still qualify for temporarily expanded eligibility for the premium tax credit.

Eligibility rules changed to claim a tax credit for clean vehicles. Review the changes under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to qualify for a Clean Vehicle Credit.


2021 Tax Changes

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 expanded the following for 2021 returns. 

1. 
Child Tax Credit for 2021 increased.  The maximum credit increased from $2,000 per child in 2020 to $3,600 for each child under age 6. For each child ages 6 to 16, it’s increased from $2,000 to $3,000. It also makes 17-year-olds eligible for the $3,000 credit.  See Dependents.

2. 
Dependent Care Credit increased.  Y
ou may claim the credit on qualifying employment-related expenses of up to $8,000 (previously $3,000) if you had one qualifying person, or $16,000 (previously $6,000) if you had two or more qualifying persons. The maximum credit in 2021 increases to 50% of your employment-related expenses, which equals a maximum credit of $4,000 if you had one qualifying person (50% of $8,000), or $8,000 (50% of $16,000) if you had two or more qualifying persons. The more a taxpayer earns, the lower the percentage of employment-related expenses that are considered in determining the credit.  See Dependents.

3. 
Dependent Care FSA.  Workers can set aside more in dependent care FSA.  For 2021, the maximum amount of tax-free employer-provided dependent care benefits increased to $10,500. This means an employee can set aside $10,500 in a dependent care flexible spending account, instead of the usual $5,000. 
 

4.  Earned Income Tax Credit expansion.  For 2021 only, more workers without qualifying children can qualify for the earned income tax credit, a fully refundable tax benefit that helps many low- and moderate-income workers and working families. That's because the maximum credit is nearly tripled for these taxpayers and is, for the first time, available to younger workers and now has no age limit cap.
 

5.  Economic Impact Payment.  Under the American Rescue Plan, eligible people filing as single making less than $75,000, a head of household making less than $112,500, or as married couple filing jointly making less than $150,000 qualify for an Economic Impact Payment of $1,400 per person each plus $1,400 for each qualifying dependent, including kids, college students, and seniors claimed as dependents.


6. 
Charitable Contributions.  For taxpayers who do not itemize, the deduction of up to $300 in cash contributions to public charities has been extended and increases the deduction for joint filers in 2021 to $600. And for taxpayers that do itemize, the ability to deduct up to 100% of adjusted gross income (AGI) for all cash contributions to public charities has also been extended. (Note: Contributions to private foundations, supporting organizations and donor-advised funds, or DAFs, do not qualify for these benefits.)
 

 

2020 Tax Changes


Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the COVID-related Tax Relief Act.
 

Economic Impact Payments (EIPs)

Economic Impact Payment 1:  Up to
$1,200 ($2,400 if married filing jointly for 2020) plus $500 for each qualifying child you had in 2020.
Economic Impact Payment 2:  Up to
$600 ($1,200 if married filing jointly for 2020) plus $600 for each qualifying child you had in 2020.

Generally, you are eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if you were a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien in 2020, cannot be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer for tax year 2020, and have a Social Security number valid for employment that is issued before the due date of your 2020 tax return (including extensions).

Taxpayers will receive a reduced payment if their adjusted gross income is between:

Most eligible taxpayers will have received their impact payment by direct deposit or check. 

Recovery Rebate Credit:   If you were eligible for a payment but did not receive it, you can claim a credit on your 2020 tax return.
* Eligible taxpayers who received a smaller-than-expected EIP may qualify to receive an additional amount when they file their 2020 federal income tax return.
* If eligible, taxpayers may claim an additional credit on their 2020 tax return, for example, if a child was born, adopted, or placed into foster care in 2020.
* The EIP will not reduce a taxpayer’s refund or increase the amount they owe when they file a tax return. It is also not taxable and therefore should not be included in income on a 2020 return.

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
For 2020, the maximum foreign earned income exclusion is $107,600.

Note: The Internal Revenue Service is providing a waiver of the time requirements related to the foreign earned income exclusion, if, due to the COVID-19 emergency, the taxpayer was required to leave:
    • The People’s Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) on or after December 1, 2019, but on or before July 15, 2020; or
    • Another foreign country on or after February 1, 2020, but on or before July 15, 2020;
In this case, the taxpayer may still be able to meet requirements of the bona fide residence or physical presence test for 2019 or 2020 for purposes of determining the foreign earned income exclusion. For more information and examples see
Revenue Procedure 2020-27.

Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan forgiveness.
  Taxpayers may exclude from gross income any covered loan forgiveness.

Special rules for use of retirement funds.  Individuals eligible for coronavirus-related relief may be able to withdraw up to $100,000 penalty-free from IRAs or workplace retirement plans before December 31, 2020.  Click on 2020 Tax Changes above for additional information.

Temporary waiver of required minimum distribution rules for certain retirement plans and accounts – waives the required minimum distribution rules for certain defined contribution plans and IRAs for calendar year 2020. 

Allowance of partial above-the-line deduction for charitable contributions – permits taxpayers who do not itemize deductions to deduct up to $300 of cash contributions to charitable organizations per return. This provision applies to tax year 2020.

Modification of limitations on charitable contributions during 2020 – increases the limitations on deductions for charitable cash contributions by individuals who itemize. For individuals, the 60% of adjusted gross income limitation is suspended for 2020.

Deferred payment of the employer share of the Social Security tax – allows self-employed individuals to defer payment of the employer share of Social Security tax. Half of the deferred amount is due by December 31, 2021 and the other half by December 31, 2022.

Exclusion for certain employer payments of student loans – enables employers to provide a student loan repayment benefit to employees on a tax-free basis.

Higher education emergency financial aid grants – Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 situation, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not includible in gross income.  Because the emergency financial aid grant is not includible in gross income, taxpayers cannot claim any deduction or credit for expenses paid with the grant including the tuition and fees deduction, the American opportunity credit, or the lifetime learning credit.

Estimated tax payments for 2020 normally due on April 15, 2020 and June 15, 2020 are treated as timely if made by July 15, 2020.

Changes to Tax Forms:

*  Non-employee compensation for self employed individuals will be reported on Form 1099-NEC rather than 1099-MISC.

*  Form 7202 can be used by self employed individuals to claim a credit for sick leave and family leave due to coronavirus related care you required, or that you provided to another.

*  An amended tax return (1040-X) can be filed electronically starting with tax year 2019.

SECURE Act of 2019: 

*  Individuals can contribute to a traditional IRA after age
70 ½.

Beginning in 2020, an IRA owner or a participant in a workplace defined contribution plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, can withdraw up to $5,000 for the birth or adoption of a child without incurring the usual 10% additional tax on early distributions. The distribution must be made within one year after the child is born or the adoption is finalized and cannot be from a defined benefit plan. Any time after receiving the distribution, the IRA owner or plan participant may generally recontribute any portion of the distribution as a rollover contribution to an eligible retirement plan, including an IRA.

* Required minimum distributions (RMDs) – The required minimum distribution (RMD) age increased from 70 ½ to 72 for taxpayers turning 70 ½ after December 31, 2019. In other words, if a taxpayer’s 70th birthday is July 1, 2019 or later, they do not have to take withdrawals until reaching age 72.

* More expenses now qualify for tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals from a qualified tuition program, also known as a 529 plan.

Other:

*  The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 reverts the “kiddie tax” to pre-2018 law with a child’s unearned income taxed at the parents’ top marginal rates. Previously, this was in scope when the unearned income for certain children was taxed using the brackets and rates for estates and trusts, which was a simpler calculation. The change is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019, with the option to use the estates and trusts rates for 2019 and 2018.

*  Reinstated residential energy credit on Form 5695.  Can amend 2018 and 2019 to claim the credit (maximum $500 lifetime limit).

*  Reinstated tuition and fees deduction.  Can amend 2018 and 2019 to claim the deduction.

*  Reduction in the medical expense deduction floor to 7.5%


2019 Tax Changes

 

*  Federal mandate to be covered by health insurance is eliminated.  Therefore, there is no federal penalty for being uninsured.  If, however, you live in Massachusetts, New Jersey or Washington DC, you are required to by state law to be covered by health insurance.


*  Increase in IRA contribution limits.  For 2019 and 2020, the limit is $6,000 (or $7,000 if you are age 50 or older).

Beginning Jan. 1, 2019alimony or separate maintenance payments are not deductible from the income of the payer spouse, or includable in the income of the receiving spouse, if made under a divorce or separation agreement executed after Dec. 31, 2018.   This also applies to a divorce or separation agreement executed on or before Dec. 31, 2018, and modified after December 31, 2018, as long as the modification:

On the other hand, generally alimony or separate maintenance payments are deductible from the income of the payer spouse and includable in the income of the receiving spouse, if made under a divorce or separation agreement executed on or before Dec. 31, 2018, even if the agreement was modified after December 31, 2018, so long as the modification is not one described in the preceding paragraph.


*  Standard deduction increased to $12,200 for singles (up from $12,000 in 2018) and $24,400 for married joint filers (up from $24,000 in 2018). 

 

*  Layout of Form 1040 changed again.  There is no longer Form 1040A or 1040-EZ.

 

2018 Tax Changes

 

Major changes for tax year 2018.  Please also refer to IRS Publication 5307.  More taxpayers will be better off claiming the standard deduction rather than itemizing deductions.  Note:  Nonresident aliens filing Form 1040NR generally cannot claim the standard deduction.  They may claim itemized deductions, but these are usually limited to state & local income taxes, U.S. charity and some miscellaneous deductions.  Nonresidents cannot claim medical expenses, mortgage or investment interest, or property taxes.  


Tax law for 2017 versus 2018 tax returns

 

2017 Tax Return

2018 Tax Return

Standard Deduction

Standard Deduction

Single  $6,350

Married Filing Jointly $12,700

Married Filing Separately $6,350

Head of Household $9,350

(Note:  The standard deduction is higher for people born before January 2, 1953).

Single  $12,000

Married Filing Jointly $24,000

Married Filing Separately $12,000

Head of Household $18,000

Deduction for Personal Exemption

A deduction reduces your income, not your tax.

Taxpayer, spouse and dependent can claim $4,050 each, subject to the following phase-outs in adjusted gross income:
Single (beginning at $261,500, phased out completely at $384,000); Married filing jointly (beginning at $313,800, phased out completely at $436,300).
 

 

Deduction for Personal Exemption

Suspended

 

2017 Itemized Deductions

2018 Itemized Deductions

Home Acquisition Debt (primary plus second home):

Deduct interest paid on mortgages up to $1,000,000.  However, if the loan exceeds $1 million, the next $100,000 of that debt can be treated as home equity debt.  In other words, the $1,000,000 limit is really $1,100,000.

 

Home Acquisition Debt (primary plus second home):

Loans secured before 12/16/17:

Deduct interest paid on mortgages up to $1,000,000

Loans secured after 12/15/17:

Deduct interest paid on mortgage debt up to $750,000

 

Home Equity Debt:

Deduct interest paid on loans up to $100,000.

The loan can have been used to pay for anything.

 

Home Equity Debt:

You can only deduct interest paid on home equity debt if the debt was used to buy, build or substantially improve the taxpayer's home that secures the loan.  The total of the home equity debt plus home acquisition debt cannot exceed $750,000.  You cannot deduct interest from home equity debt for a second home if the loan is secured by the main home and not the second home.

Property Tax Deduction:

Unlimited.  Deduct real estate taxes paid (state, local or foreign) on real property, including vacant land.

 

Property Tax Deduction:

No deduction for foreign property taxes. 

Your deduction of state and local income, sales, and property taxes is limited to a combined, total deduction of $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately).

State and Local Taxes:

Deduct state and local income taxes paid during 2017.    

 

State and Local Taxes

Your deduction of state and local income, sales, and property taxes is limited to a combined, total deduction of $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately).

Medical Expenses.

Can only claim the portion of the out-of –pocket medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

 

Medical Expenses.

No change.  After 2018, you can only claim the portion of the out-of –pocket medical expenses that exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income.

Charitable Donations:

Cash and non-cash gifts to qualified charities are deductible.

 

Charitable Donations:

No change. 

Job Expenses and Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Subject to 2% of AGI Floor

Can claim the portion that of the total expenses that exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income.  Includes unreimbursed employee business expenses, investment advisory fees, safe deposit box fees, tax prep fees, and more.

 

Job Expenses and Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Subject to 2% of AGI Floor

Eliminated.

 

Casualty and Theft Losses

For victims of fire, flood, burglary or similar event.  You can only claim the portion that exceeds 10% of your adjusted gross income.

.

 

Casualty and Theft Losses

Same rules but you can only claim the losses if the event was declared a disaster by the president.  The loss may be claimed in addition to the standard deduction.

 

Itemized Deduction Limitation

Your itemized deductions may be limited

 

Itemized Deduction Limitation

The overall limit on itemized deductions is suspended for tax years 2018-2025.

 

2017 Tax Return 2018 Tax Return

Child Tax Credit

A credit reduces your tax, not your income.

$1,000, subject to phase-out beginning with modified adjusted gross income of:

Single ($75,000), married joint ($110,000).   For each $1,000 of income above the threshold, your available child tax credit is reduced by $50.

The child can have a SSN or ITIN.

 

Child Tax Credit

A credit reduces your tax, not your income.

$2,000, subject to phase-out beginning with in modified adjusted gross income of:

Single ($200,000), married filing jointly ($400,000).

 

The child must have a SSN.

 

 

Credit for Other Dependents

There is a new $500 nonrefundable tax credit for each eligible dependent who can't be claimed for the child tax credit.

Moving Expenses

You can claim moving expenses as long as the new workplace is at least 50 miles farther from the old home than the old job location was from the old home.

 

Moving Expenses

Eliminated (with some exceptions for members of the armed services).

 

529 Plans

You can withdraw the money that you contributed tax-free to pay for higher education expenses (i.e., college/university).

 

529 Plans

In addition to paying for higher education, you can also withdraw up to $10,000 each year, per child, to pay for private or religious school, or if you home-school.

 

Pass-Through Business Income

Pass through ordinary income is taxed at normal individual tax rates.

 

Pass-Through Business Income

You may be able to deduct up to 20% of your qualified business income from your qualified trade or business, plus 20% of your qualified REIT dividends and qualified PTP income.

There are limits, including a phaseout for the deduction.

 

2017 Individual Income Tax Brackets
 

Single
 

·         10%:  $0 to $9,325

·         15%:  $9,325 to $37,950

·         25%:  $37,951 to $91,900

·         28%:  $91,901 to $191,650

·         33%:  $191,651 to $416,700

·         35%:  $416,701 to $418,400

·         39.6%:  over $418,400


Married

·         10%:  $0 to $18,650

·         15%:  $18,651 to $75,900

·         25%:  $75,901 to $153,100

·         28%:  $153,101 to $233,350

·         33%:  $233,351 to $416,700

·         35%:  $416,701 to $470,700

·         39.6%:  over $470,700

 

2018 Individual Income Tax Brackets
 

Single
 

·         10%:  $0 to $9,525

·         12%:  $9,526 to $38,700

·         22%:  $38,701 to $82,500

·         24%:  $82,501 to $157,500

·         32%:  $157,501 to 200,000

·         35%:  $200,001 to $500,000

·         37%:  over $500,000
 

Married

·         10%:  $0 to $19,050

·         12%:  $19,051 to $77,400

·         22%:  $77,401 to $165,000

·         24%:  $165,001 to $315,000

·         32%:  $315,001 to $400,000

·         35%:  $400,001 to $600,000

    37%:  over $600,000

 

AMT Exemption

Single ($54,300), married joint ($84,500)

Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption Phaseout Threshold

Single ($120,700), married joint ($160,900)

 

AMT Exemption

Single ($70,300), married joint ($109,400)

Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption Phaseout Threshold

Single ($500,000); married joint ($1,000,000)

 

Individual Health Insurance Mandate

Fee for not having insurance is the higher of:  (1) 2.5% of household income (to maximum of total yearly premium of national average of Bronze plan) or (2) $695 per adult, $347.5 per child under 18 (to maximum of $2,085).

 

Individual Health Insurance Mandate

Fee is similar to 2017, but the mandate is eliminated in 2019.

 

2017 Kiddie Tax
Net unearned income of a child (for 2017, unearned income over $2,100) is taxed at the parents’ tax rates if the parents’ tax rates are higher than the tax rates of the child. The remainder of a child’s taxable income (i.e., earned income, plus unearned income up to $2,100 (for 2017), less the child’s standard deduction) is taxed at the child’s rates, regardless of whether the kiddie tax applies to the child.  In general, a child is eligible to use the preferential tax rates for qualified dividends and capital gains.
2018 Kiddie Tax
Taxable income attributable to net unearned income is taxed according to the brackets applicable to trusts and estates.

Taxable income attributable to earned income is taxed according to an unmarried taxpayers’ brackets and rates.

A child is eligible to use the preferential tax rates for qualified dividends and long term capital gains at the brackets applicable to trusts and estates.

 

 

Section 965 deferred foreign income.

If you own (directly or indirectly) certain foreign corporations, you may have to include on your return certain deferred foreign income. You may pay the entire amount of tax due with respect to this deferred foreign income this year or elect to make payment in eight installments or, in the case of certain stock owned through an S corporation, elect to defer payment until the occurrence of a triggering event. See the instructions for Line 11a; Schedule 1, line 21; Schedule 5, line 74; Form 965; Form 965-A; and Pub. 5292 for more information.

 

 

Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) under section 951A.

If you are a U.S. shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation (owning at least 10 percent of the value or voting rights in one or more CFCs), you must include your GILTI in your income. If you own an interest in a domestic pass-through entity that is a U.S. shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation, you may have a GILTI inclusion related to that interest, even if you are not a U.S. shareholder of the controlled foreign corporation. See IRS Form 8992 and its instructions for the latest information regarding GILTI and domestic pass-through entities.
 

Estate Tax Unified Credit
Equivalent

$5.49 Million
 
Estate Tax Unified Credit
Equivalent

$11.18 Million
IRC Section 179 Depreciation
$510,000
IRC Section 179 Depreciation
$1,000,000
 

..

 

2015, 2016 and 2017 Tax Changes

No major income tax changes for 2015, 2016 and 2017.   

2014 Tax Changes

 

The Affordable Care Act requires that U.S. tax residents (with some exceptions) have health insurance starting in 2014. If you are not insured, you may have to pay a health care tax penalty on your 2014 tax return (filed in 2015). U.S. expatriates who claim a foreign earned income exclusion under the bona fide resident test or the physical presence test are exempt from this requirement.   The mandate for this ends as of tax year 2019.

2013 Tax Changes