Author: Leon Clinton

Tax Breaks for Taxpayers Who Itemize

Many taxpayers opt for the standard deduction because it is easier, but sometimes itemizing your deductions is the better choice – often resulting in a lower tax bill. Whether you bought a house, refinanced your current home, or had extensive gambling losses, you may be able to take advantage of tax breaks for taxpayers who itemize. Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Deducting state and local income, sales and property taxes. The deduction that taxpayers can claim for 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 paid above this amount can’t be deducted.

2. Refinancing a home. The deduction for mortgage interest is limited to interest paid on a loan secured by the taxpayer’s main home or second home. Homeowners who choose to refinance must use the loan to buy, build, or substantially improve their main home or second home, and the mortgage interest they may deduct is subject to the limits described in the next bullet under “buying a home.”

3. Buying a home. People who bought a new home in 2019 can only deduct mortgage interest paid on a total of $750,000 ($375,000 married filing separately) in qualifying debt for a first and second home. For existing mortgages, if the loan originated on or before December 15, 2017, taxpayers may continue to deduct interest on a total of $1 million in qualifying debt secured by first and second homes.

4. Charitable donations. Donations to a qualified charity also qualify as a tax break. Taxpayers must itemize deductions to deduct charitable contributions and must have proof of all donations. The non-profit organization must be a 501(c)(3) public charity or private foundation and non-cash donations may require a qualified appraisal.

5. Deducting mileage for charity. Miles driven using a personal vehicle for charitable service activities could qualify you for a tax break. Itemizers can deduct 14 cents per mile for charitable mileage driven in 2019.

6. Reporting gambling winnings and claiming gambling losses. Taxpayers who itemize can deduct gambling losses up to the amount of gambling winnings. You may deduct gambling losses; however, the amount of losses you deduct can’t be more than the amount of gambling income you report on your return. Furthermore, you must keep a record of your winnings and losses, for example, you must keep an accurate diary or similar record of your gambling winnings and losses and be able to provide receipts, tickets, statements, or other records that show the amount of both your winnings and losses.

Investment interest expenses. Investment interest expense is interest paid or accrued on a loan or part of a loan that is allocated to property held for taxable investments – the interest on a loan you took out to buy stock in a brokerage account, for example. Taxable investments include interest, dividends, annuities or royalties.

Wondering whether you should itemize deductions on your 2019 tax return? Don’t hesitate to call the office and find out.

• By Leon Clinton
• January 10, 2020

What’s New for the 2020 Tax Filing Season

While the 2020 tax filing season promises to be less confusing than 2019, there are still a number of changes that taxpayers should be aware of.

New, Revised or Updated Tax Forms

Form 1040: Revised and Redesigned

The IRS released a draft Form 1040 for 2019 tax returns that has been updated from the 2018 version. Of significance is that there are now three schedules instead of the six that appeared in the 2018 Form 1040. Schedule 6 is now part of Form 1040. Schedules 2 and 4 have been combined into a single schedule as have Schedules 3 and 5. Schedule 1 remains as is. Another notable change is that the signature line is once again, at the end of the form. While the new Form 1040 for 2019 is no longer “postcard size,” it is still shorter than it was in 2018 – although slightly longer than the 2019 version.

Form 1040SR: U.S. Tax Return for Seniors

The new Form 1040SR for 2019, was created in response to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and is intended for taxpayers age 65 and older. While similar to the standard Form 1040, the font size is larger and it includes a chart of the standard deduction and additional standard deduction amounts for taxpayers over 65 years old or blind. Taxpayers with more complicated tax situations should use the regular Form 1040.

Other New Tax Forms for 2019

• Forms 8995 and 8995-A: Qualified Business Income Deduction Simplified Computation
• Form 8985: Pass-Through Statement [Pass-Through Statement — Transmittal/Partnership Adjustment Tracking Report]
• Forms 965-C, 965-D, and 965-E: Inclusion of Deferred Foreign Income Upon Transition to Participation Exemption System
• Form 8978: Partner’s Additional Reporting Year Tax
• Form 8997: Initial and Annual Statement of Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) Investments

Important Tax Changes

Health Insurance Mandate Penalty Eliminated.

The penalty for failing to obtain health insurance expired at the end of 2018. As such, for 2019 tax returns there is no box on Form 1040 to check off indicating you had health insurance.

Some states have their own individual health insurance mandate requiring coverage. If you live in a state with a mandate and don’t have insurance (or an exemption) you must pay a fee when you file your state taxes. Currently, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. have such mandates (effective for 2019) in addition to Vermont whose mandate is effective starting in 2020.

Alimony is No Longer Deductible.

Starting January 1, 2019, alimony is no longer deductible to the payer and is no longer taxable to the payee for separation or divorce agreements or decrees in effect on this date or later.

Medical Expense Deduction Threshold Remains at 7.5 Percent.

For tax years 2017 and 2018 the medical expense deduction threshold was rolled back to 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI). In 2019 it was scheduled to revert to 10 percent; however, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, extended the 7.5 percent threshold through 2020 (including tax year 2019).

Deduction for Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses Extended.

This above-the-line deduction was extended through 2020.

Questions? Help is just a phone call away.

• By Leon Clinton
• January 8, 2020

Important Tax Changes for Individuals and Businesses

Every year, it’s a sure bet that there will be changes to current tax law and this year is no different. From standard deductions to health savings accounts and tax rate schedules, here’s a checklist of tax changes to help you plan the year ahead.

Individuals

In 2020, a number of tax provisions are affected by inflation adjustments, including Health Savings Accounts, retirement contribution limits, and the foreign earned income exclusion. The tax rate structure, which ranges from 10 to 37 percent, remains similar to 2019; however, the tax-bracket thresholds increase for each filing status. Standard deductions also rise, and as a reminder, personal exemptions have been eliminated through tax year 2025.

Standard Deduction
In 2020, the standard deduction increases to $12,400 for individuals (up from $12,200 in 2019) and to $24,800 for married couples (up from $24,400 in 2019).

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
In 2020, AMT exemption amounts increase to $72,900 for individuals (up from $71,700 in 2019) and $113,400 for married couples filing jointly (up from $111,700 in 2019). Also, the phaseout threshold increases to $518,400 ($1,036,800 for married filing jointly). Both the exemption and threshold amounts are indexed annually for inflation.

“Kiddie Tax”
For taxable years beginning in 2020, the amount that can be used to reduce the net unearned income reported on the child’s return that is subject to the “kiddie tax,” is $1,100. The same $1,100 amount is used to determine whether a parent may elect to include a child’s gross income in the parent’s gross income and to calculate the “kiddie tax.” For example, one of the requirements for the parental election is that a child’s gross income for 2020 must be more than $1,100 but less than $11,000.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are used to pay current or future medical expenses of the account owner, his or her spouse, and any qualified dependent. Medical expenses must not be reimbursable by insurance or other sources and do not qualify for the medical expense deduction on a federal income tax return.

A qualified individual must be covered by a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and not be covered by other health insurance with the exception of insurance for accidents, disability, dental care, vision care, or long-term care.

For calendar year 2020, a qualifying HDHP must have a deductible of at least $1,400 for self-only coverage or $2,800 for family coverage and must limit annual out-of-pocket expenses of the beneficiary to $6,900 for self-only coverage and $13,800 for family coverage.

Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs)
There are two types of Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs): the Archer MSA created to help self-employed individuals and employees of certain small employers, and the Medicare Advantage MSA, which is also an Archer MSA, and is designated by Medicare to be used solely to pay the qualified medical expenses of the account holder. To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage MSA, you must be enrolled in Medicare. Both MSAs require that you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP).

Self-only coverage. For taxable years beginning in 2020, the term “high deductible health plan” means, for self-only coverage, a health plan that has an annual deductible that is not less than $2,350 (same as 2019) and not more than $3,550 (up $50 from 2019), and under which the annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits do not exceed $4,750 (up $100 from 2019).Family coverage. For taxable years beginning in 2020, the term “high deductible health plan” means, for family coverage, a health plan that has an annual deductible that is not less than $4,750 and not more than $7,100, and under which the annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits do not exceed $8,650.

AGI Limit for Deductible Medical Expenses
In 2020, the deduction threshold for deductible medical expenses is 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI).

Eligible Long-Term Care Premiums
Premiums for long-term care are treated the same as health care premiums and are deductible on your taxes subject to certain limitations. For individuals age 40 or younger at the end of 2020, the limitation is $430. Persons more than 40 but not more than 50 can deduct $810. Those more than 50 but not more than 60 can deduct $1,630 while individuals more than 60 but not more than 70 can deduct $4,350. The maximum deduction is $5,430 and applies to anyone more than 70 years of age.

Medicare Taxes
The additional 0.9 percent Medicare tax on wages above $200,000 for individuals ($250,000 married filing jointly) remains in effect for 2020, as does the Medicare tax of 3.8 percent on investment (unearned) income for single taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) more than $200,000 ($250,000 joint filers). Investment income includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties, gains from the disposition of property, and certain passive activity income. Estates, trusts, and self-employed individuals are all liable for the tax.

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
For 2020, the foreign earned income exclusion amount is $107,600 up from $105,900 in 2019.

Long-Term Capital Gains and Dividends
In 2020 tax rates on capital gains and dividends remain the same as 2019 rates (0%, 15%, and a top rate of 20%); however threshold amounts have increased: the maximum zero percent rate amounts are $40,000 for individuals and $80,000 for married filing jointly. For an individual taxpayer whose income is at or above $441,450 ($496,600 married filing jointly), the rate for both capital gains and dividends is capped at 20 percent. All other taxpayers fall into the 15 percent rate amount (i.e., above $40,000 and below $441,450 for single filers).

Estate and Gift Taxes
For an estate of any decedent during calendar year 2020, the basic exclusion amount is $11.58 million, indexed for inflation (up from $11.4 million in 2019). The maximum tax rate remains at 40 percent. The annual exclusion for gifts remains at $15,000.

Individuals – Tax Credits

Adoption Credit
In 2020, a non-refundable (only those individuals with tax liability will benefit) credit of up to $14,300 is available for qualified adoption expenses for each eligible child.

Earned Income Tax Credit
For tax year 2020, the maximum Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low and moderate-income workers and working families rises to $6,660 up from $6,557 in 2019. The credit varies by family size, filing status, and other factors, with the maximum credit going to joint filers with three or more qualifying children.

Child Tax Credit
For tax years 2019 through 2025, the child tax credit is $2,000 per child. The refundable portion of the credit is $1,400 so that even if taxpayers do not owe any tax, they can still claim the credit. A $500 nonrefundable credit is also available for dependents who do not qualify for the Child Tax Credit (e.g., dependents age 17 and older).

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit also remained under tax reform. If you pay someone to take care of your dependent (defined as being under the age of 13 at the end of the tax year or incapable of self-care) to work or look for work, you may qualify for a credit of up to $1,050 or 35 percent of $3,000 of eligible expenses in 2020. For two or more qualifying dependents, you can claim up to 35 percent of $6,000 (or $2,100) of eligible expenses. For higher-income earners, the credit percentage is reduced, but not below 20 percent, regardless of the amount of adjusted gross income. This tax credit is nonrefundable.

Individuals – Education

American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credits
The maximum credit is $2,500 per student for the American Opportunity Tax Credit. The Lifetime Learning Credit remains at $2,000 per return; however, the adjusted gross income amount used by joint filers to determine the reduction in the Lifetime Learning Credit is $118,000 ($59,000 single filers).

Interest on Educational Loans
In 2020, the maximum deduction for interest paid on student loans is $2,500. The deduction begins to be phased out for higher-income taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of more than $70,000 ($140,000 for joint filers) and is completely eliminated for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $85,000 ($170,000 joint filers).

Individuals – Retirement

Contribution Limits
The elective deferral (contribution) limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan increases to $19,500 (up from $19,000 in 2019). Contribution limits for SIMPLE plans increase to $13,500 (up from $13,000 in 2019). The maximum compensation used to determine contributions increases to $285,000 (up from $280,000 in 2019).

Income Phase-out Ranges
The deduction for taxpayers making contributions to a traditional IRA is phased out for singles and heads of household who are covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan and have modified AGI between $65,000 and $75,000.

For married couples filing jointly, in which the spouse who makes the IRA contribution is covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, the phase-out range increases to $104,000 to $124,000. For an IRA contributor who is not covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan and is married to someone who is covered, the deduction is phased out if the couple’s modified AGI is between $196,000 and $206,000.

The modified AGI phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to a Roth IRA is $124,000 to $139,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $122,000 to $137,000. For married couples filing jointly, the income phase-out range is $196,000 to $206,000, up from $193,000 to $203,000. The phase-out range for a married individual filing a separate return who makes contributions to a Roth IRA is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.

Saver’s Credit
In 2020, the AGI limit for the Saver’s Credit (also known as the Retirement Savings Contribution Credit) for low and moderate income workers is $65,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $64,000 in 2019; $48,750 for heads of household, up from $48,000; and $32,500 for singles and married individuals filing separately, up from $32,000 in 2019.

Businesses

Standard Mileage Rates
In 2020, the rate for business miles driven is 57.5 cents per mile, down one half of a cent from the rate for 2019.

Section 179 Expensing
In 2020, the Section 179 expense deduction increases to a maximum deduction of $1,040,000 of the first $2,590,000 of qualifying equipment placed in service during the current tax year. This amount is indexed to inflation for tax years after 2018. The deduction was enhanced under the TCJA to include improvements to nonresidential qualified real property such as roofs, fire protection, and alarm systems and security systems, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Also of note is that costs associated with the purchase of any sport utility vehicle, treated as a Section 179 expense, cannot exceed $25,900.

Bonus Depreciation
Businesses are allowed to immediately deduct 100% of the cost of eligible property placed in service after September 27, 2017, and before January 1, 2023, after which it will be phased downward over a four-year period: 80% in 2023, 60% in 2024, 40% in 2025, 20% in 2026, and 0% in 2027 and years beyond.

Qualified Business Income Deduction
Eligible taxpayers are able to deduct up to 20 percent of certain business income from qualified domestic businesses, as well as certain dividends. To qualify for the deduction business income must not exceed a certain dollar amount. In 2020, these threshold amounts are $163,300 for single and head of household filers and $326,600 for married taxpayers filing joint returns.

Research & Development Tax Credit
Starting in 2018, businesses with less than $50 million in gross receipts can use this credit to offset alternative minimum tax. Certain start-up businesses that might not have any income tax liability will be able to offset payroll taxes with the credit as well.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
Extended through 2020, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit has been modified and enhanced for employers who hire long-term unemployed individuals (unemployed for 27 weeks or more) and is generally equal to 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages paid to a new hire.

Employee Health Insurance Expenses
For taxable years beginning in 2020, the dollar amount of average wages is $27,600 ($27,100 in 2019). This amount is used for limiting the small employer health insurance credit and for determining who is an eligible small employer for purposes of the credit.

Business Meals and Entertainment Expenses
The deduction remains at 50% for taxpayers who incur food and beverage expenses associated with operating a trade or business. For tax years 2018 through 2025, however, the 50% deduction expands to include expenses incurred for meals furnished to employees for the convenience of the employer. Amounts after 2025, however, will not be deductible. Office holiday parties remain 100% deductible and employee meals while on business travel also remain deductible at 50%. Also eliminated is the deduction for business entertainment expenses (only meals are deductible at 50%; receipts must identify and separate meal costs from entertainment costs).

Employer-provided Transportation Fringe Benefits
If you provide transportation fringe benefits to your employees in 2020, the maximum monthly limitation for transportation in a commuter highway vehicle as well as any transit pass is $270. The monthly limitation for qualified parking is $270.

While this checklist outlines important tax changes for 2020, additional changes in tax law are likely to arise during the year ahead. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions or want to get a head start on tax planning for the year ahead.

• By Leon Clinton
• January 5, 2020