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Answer Tax Questions2019 - Standard deduction
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userFor 2019, the additional standard deduction amount for the aged or the blind is $1,300. The additional standard deduction amount increases to $1,650 for unmarried taxpayers.
For 2019, the standard deduction amount for an individual who may be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer cannot exceed the greater of $1,100 or the sum of $350 and the individual’s earned income.

2019 - Alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amounts
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userIndividual = $71,700
Married Filing Jointly = $111,700
Married Filg Separately = $55,850
Estates and Trusts = $25000

2019 - Ordinary Income Tax Rates
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userFor tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, seven brackets will apply to individuals: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%.
No change has been made to the filing statuses that apply to individuals.

2019 - Itemized deductions-State Property & Income tax Limitation
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userProperty taxes remain fully deductible for taxpayers in a business or for-profit activity, so taxes paid on rental realty can be taken in full on Schedule E.

2019 - Itemized deductions- medical expenses
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userIn addition, the AMT preference related to medical expenses is eliminated.

2019 - Itemized deductions-Charitable Contributions
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userFor any contribution made in a tax year beginning after December 31, 2016, the requirement of a charity to provide contemporaneous written acknowledgement as substantiation for any contribution of $250 or more is repealed.
Beginning in 2018, no charitable deduction is allowed for any payment to an institution of higher learning in exchange for which the contributor is given a right to purchase seats at an athletic event.
Prior to the enactment of the new law, charitable contributions were deductible with certain ceilings based upon a percentage of AGI. A 50% of AGI limit applied to cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations.

2019 - Itemized deductions - Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userAmong the items included in this elimination are:
All unreimbursed employee business expenses;
Union dues
Brokerage fees
All expenses related to tax return preparation;
Appraisal fees for charitable contributions;
Investment expenses.

2019 - Itemized deductions - Residence Interest
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userIn addition, the Act reduces the amount of eligible Acquisition Indebtedness borrowing to $750,000 for any debt incurred on or after December 15, 2017.
A taxpayer who entered into a binding contract before December 15, 2017 to close on the purchase of a residence before January 1, 2018, and who actually closes on the acquisition before April 1, 2018, shall be considered to have incurred the Acquisition Indebtedness before December 15, 2017.
ii. The old Acquisition Indebtedness limits continue to apply to taxpayers who refinance existing Acquisition Indebtedness as long as the indebtedness resulting from the refinancing does not exceed the amount of the original debt.
For 2017, the deduction for Qualified Residence Interest was limited to interest paid on up to $1,000,000 of borrowing that qualified as “Acquisition Indebtedness” and up to $100,000 of borrowing that qualifies as “Home Equity Indebtedness”.
Acquisition Indebtedness being defined as debt incurred to acquire, construct or substantially improve a principal residence or a second home, with no restriction on the use of Home Equity Indebtedness.

2019 - Itemized deductions- Personal casualty losses
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous user
2019 - Retirement plan limits
Asked Monday, December 24, 2018 by an anonymous userIRA Contributions $6,000 - IRA Catch-up Contributions remains at $1,000.
