Tax Law changes - 2013

Standard deduction - 2013

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The standard deduction rises to $6,100 ($12,200 for married couples filing jointly), up from $5,950 ($11,900 for married couples filing jointly) for tax year 2012.
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Estate - Unified Credit - 2013

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For an estate of any decedent dying during calendar year 2013, the basic exclusion amount is $5,250,000 for determining the amount of the unified credit against estate tax.
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Lifetime Learning Credit Phaseout - 2013

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For taxable years beginning in 2013, a taxpayer's (MAGI) modified adjusted gross income in excess of $53,000 ($107,000 for a joint return) is used to determine the reduction in the amount of the Lifetime Learning Credit.
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Adoption Credit - 2013

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For taxable years beginning in 2013, the credit allowed for an adoption of a child with special needs is $12,970. For taxable years beginning in 2013, the maximum credit allowed for other adoptions is the amount of qualified adoption expenses up to $12,970.
The available adoption credit begins to phase out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $194,580 and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $234,580 or more.
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Adoption Credit & Expenses

Adoption Credit - 2016

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

In 2016 the maximum credit allowed for adoptions is the amount of qualified adoption expenses up to $13,460.
The available adoption credit begins to phase out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $201,920 and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $241,920 or more.
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Earned Income Credit - Maximum amount - 2013

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The maximum Earned Income Credit amount is $6,044 for taxpayers filing jointly who have three or more qualifying children, up from a total of $5,891 for tax year 2012.
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption Amounts

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The (AMTE) Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption amount is $53,900 ($83,800, for married couples filing jointly),
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Personal Exemptions - 2013

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The personal exemption amount rises to $3,900, up from the 2012 exemption of $3,800.
Beginning in 2013, the exemption is subject to a phase-out that begins with adjusted gross incomes of $250,000 ($300,000 for married couples filing jointly). It phases out completely at $372,500 ($422,500 for married couples filing jointly.)
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Most Asked Questions

When can I file my 2016 tax return?

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The IRS will now begin accepting returns for tax year 2016 on Jan. 23, 2017.
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Home Office Deduction - Simplified Method - 2013

Asked Thursday, January 17, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The IRS today created an optional safe harbor method for individual taxpayers to use in determining the amount of deductible expenses attributable to certain business use of a residence during the tax year.
The new optional deduction under the safe harbor is capped at $1,500 per year. This cap is based on $5 a square foot for up to a maximum of 300 square feet.
Taxpayers claiming the new safe harbor will not be allowed to depreciate the portion of their home used in a trade or business, but can claim allowable mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and casualty losses on the home as itemized deductions on Schedule A, Form 1040.
These deductions will not need to be allocated between personal and business use, as required under the regular method.
Current restrictions on the home office deduction, such as the requirement that a home office must be used regularly and exclusively for business and the limit tied to the income derived from the particular business, still apply under the new option.
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