Tax Law Changes

Deduction for Mortgage Insurance Premiums - Homeowners can deduct the cost of mortgage insurance premiums as part of their deduction for mortgage interest. However, this deduction expires at the end of 2013.

Debts that are forgiven or canceled are generally considered taxable income. A notable exception for the years 2007 through 2013 has been available for individuals whose mortgage debt is canceled as a result of a foreclosure, short sale or mortgage restructuring. In those cases, the mortgage debt forgiveness can qualify to be exempt from the income tax.
This special provision expires at the end of 2013. For 2014, mortgage debt that is canceled by a lender as part of a loan restructuring or foreclosure or short sale will be taxable, unless other exception applies.

Individuals can deduct state sales tax in lieu of the deduction for state income taxes, and is particularly valuable for taxpayers who live in states with no income taxes.

For 2013, businesses can deduct up to half the cost of new equipment through a special bonus depreciation deduction, with the rest of the cost depreciated over the useful life of the equipment. Bonus depreciation won't be available for the year 2014, except for long production period property and noncommercial aircraft.

Businesses can expense the entire cost of equipment in the year of purchase under Section 179, rather than spreading out the cost over multiple years using regular depreciation. For 2013, businesses can expense up to $500,000 using Section 179. For 2014, the limit will be $25,000.

For 2013:
The Tax between 0 and 8,925 = 10%,
between $8,925 and $36,250 the Tax = 870 plus 15% over 8,925,
between $36,250 and $87,850 the Tax = 4,868 plus 25% over 36,250,
between $87,850 and $183,250 the Tax = 17,443 plus 28% over 87,850,
between $183,250, and $398,350 the Tax = 43,843 plus 33% over 183,250,
between $398,350, and $400,000 the Tax = 43,843 plus 33% over 398,350 over $400,000 the Tax = 116,163.75 plus 39.6% over 400,000.
For 2012:
The Tax between 0 and 8,700 = 10%,
between $8,701 and $35,350 the Tax = 870 plus 15% over 8,700,
between $35,351 and $85,650 the Tax = 4,868 plus 25% over 35,350,
between $85,651 and $178,650 the Tax = 17,443 plus 28% over 85,650,
between $178,651, and $388,350 the Tax = 43,843 plus 33% over 178,650,
over $388,351 the Tax = 112,863 plus 35% over 388,350.

The tax rate of 39.6 percent affects singles whose income exceeds $406,750 ($457,600 for married taxpayers filing a joint return), up from $400,000 and $450,000, respectively. The other marginal rates – 10, 15, 25, 28, 33 and 35 percent – and the related income tax thresholds are described in the revenue procedure.

The standard deduction rises to $6,200 for singles and married persons filing separate returns and $12,400 for married couples filing jointly, up from $6,100 and $12,200, respectively, for tax year 2013.
The standard deduction for heads of household rises to $9,100, up from $8,950.