
2018 TAX REFORM
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Overview of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Some of the most basic changes are: Changes to Standard Deduction. Single, $12,000(up from $6,350 in 2017). Married filing jointly. Qualifying widow(er) $24,000, up from $12,700 in 2017), Married filing separately, $12,000 (up from $6,350 in 2017). Head of household. $18,000 (up from $9,350 in 2017)
Standard deductionsThose who are married and filing jointly will have an increased standard deduction of $24,000, up from the $13,000 it would have been under previous law. Single taxpayers and those who are married and file separately now have a $12,000 standard deduction, up from the $6,500 it would have been for this year prior to the reform. For heads of households, the deduction will be $18,000, up from $9,550. Personal exemptionThe personal exemption has been eliminated with the tax reform bill. · Estate tax The estate exemption doubles to $11.2 million per individual and $22.4 million per couple in 2018. · Top income tax rate A new 37 percent top rate will affect individuals with incomes of $500,000 and higher. The top rate kicks in for married taxpayers who file jointly at $600,000 and up. Child tax credit The child tax credit has been raised to $2,000 per qualifying child, those who are under 17, up from $1,000. A $500 credit is available for dependents who do not get the $2,000 credit. Mortgage interest The deduction for interest is capped at $750,000 for mortgage loan balances taken out after Dec. 15 of last year. The limit is still $1 million for mortgages that were established prior to Dec. 15, 2017. · State and local taxes The itemized deduction is limited to $10,000 for both income and property taxes paid during the year.
Contribution limits for retirement savings Employees who participate in certain retirement plans ‒ 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan – can now contribute as much as $18,500 this year, a $500 increase from the $18,000 limit for 2017.
Savings in IRAs Savers who contribute to individual retirement accounts will have higher income ranges following cost-of-living adjustments. Note that the deduction phases out for individuals and their spouses who are covered by workplace retirement plans. For single taxpayers, the limit will be $63,000 to $73,000. For married couples, the phaseout range will vary depending on whether the IRA contributor is covered by a workplace retirement plan or not. When the spouse who is investing has access to an employer plan, the range is $101,000 to $121,000. For individuals who don't have a retirement plan but are married to someone who does, the phaseout has been raised to $189,000 to $199,000. The phaseout was not adjusted for married individuals who file a separate return and who are covered by a workplace retirement plan. That range is $0 to $10,000.
Contributions to Roth IRAs For individuals who are single or the heads of their households, the income phaseout has been raised to $120,000 to $135,000. For married couples who file jointly, the range climbs to $189,000 to $199,000. The phaseout was not adjusted for married individuals who file a separate return. That is $0 to $10,000. Please call us with all your Income tax an Real estate needs.
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