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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The IRS will now begin accepting returns for tax year 2016 on Jan. 23, 2017.

ATRA for 2012 allows nonrefundable personal credits to reduce the AMT.

Elementary and secondary school teachers can deduct from gross income up to $250 of qualified expenses they paid during the year. If spouses are filing jointly and both were eligible educators, the maximum deduction on the joint return is $500. However, neither spouse can deduct more than $250 of his or her qualified expenses.
The deduction expired for tax years beginning after 2011. ATRA, extends the deduction through tax years beginning before 2014.

ATRA, extends this treatment to amounts paid or accrued before January 1, 2014 (and not properly allocable to any period after 2013).,Br> Taxpayers can treat amounts paid during the year for qualified mortgage insurance as qualified residence interest.
To qualify for this treatment, the insurance must be in connection with acquisition debt for a qualified residence, and the insurance contract must have been issued after 2006.

Taxpayers are allowed a credit for certain research expenses paid or incurred in a trade or business. Generally, the research credit is allowed for increasing research activities.
The credit had expired for amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2011. ATRA, 301, provides that this provision now expires for amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2013.