Tax Law Highlights - 2012

Foreign earned income deduction

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The foreign earned-income exclusion amount under tax code Section 911(b)(2)(D)(i) will increase in 2016 to $101,300 from $100,800,
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Earned Income Credit

Earned Income Tax Credit

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For tax year 2016, the maximum earned income tax credit (EITC) for low- and moderate- income workers and working families Maximum Credit Amounts The maximum amount of credit for Tax Year 2016 is: $6,269 with three or more qualifying children
$5,572 with two qualifying children,
$3,373 with one qualifying child
$506 with no qualifying children
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Tax Law Highlights - 2012

Earned Income Tax Credit

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For tax year 2016, the maximum earned income tax credit (EITC) for low- and moderate- income workers and working families Maximum Credit Amounts The maximum amount of credit for Tax Year 2016 is: $6,269 with three or more qualifying children
$5,572 with two qualifying children,
$3,373 with one qualifying child
$506 with no qualifying children
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Tax Law Highlights - 2012

Student Loan interest - 2013

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The $2,500 maximum deduction for interest paid on student loans begins to phase out for a married taxpayers filing a joint returns at $125,000 and phases out completely at $155,000,
For single taxpayers, the phase out is $60,000-$75,000.
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Lifetime Learning Credit

Lifetime Learning Credit - 2013

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A $2,000 credit is available for qualified expenses paid for post-secondary degree programs or for a non-degree program to acquire or improve job skills.
It is not limited to the first 4 years of postsecondary education.
Qualified expenses include tuition, course related books, activity fees and any equipment that must be purchased from the educational institution as a condition of enrollment. Room & Board expenses do not qualify.
The modified adjusted gross income threshold at which the lifetime learning credit phase out is $107,000- $127,000 for joint filers, up from $104,000-$124,000, and $53,000-$63,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $52,000-$62,000.
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Tax Law Highlights - 2012

Lifetime Learning Credit - 2013

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A $2,000 credit is available for qualified expenses paid for post-secondary degree programs or for a non-degree program to acquire or improve job skills.
It is not limited to the first 4 years of postsecondary education.
Qualified expenses include tuition, course related books, activity fees and any equipment that must be purchased from the educational institution as a condition of enrollment. Room & Board expenses do not qualify.
The modified adjusted gross income threshold at which the lifetime learning credit begins to phase out is $107,000 for joint filers, up from $104,000, and $53,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $52,000.
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Travel & Entertainment

Transportation assistance - 2013

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Transportation assistance. If you provide certain transportation fringe benefits, changes are afoot. The limit on the value for monthly free parking will rise to $245 (up from $240), while the limit on monthly transit passes and vanpooling will be $245 . Bicycling assistance will stay at $20 per month.
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Tax Law Highlights - 2012

Transportation assistance - 2012

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If you provide certain transportation fringe benefits, there are 2012 changes.
The limit on the value for monthly free parking will rise to $240 (up from $230), while the limit on monthly transit passes and vanpooling will drop to $125 (down from $230).
Bicycling assistance will stay at $20 per month.
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Educational Tax Benefits

Student Loan interest - 2013

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The $2,500 maximum deduction for interest paid on student loans begins to phase out for a married taxpayers filing a joint returns at $125,000 and phases out completely at $155,000,
For single taxpayers, the phase out ranges between $60,000 and $75,000.
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Tax Law Highlights - 2012

Lower Capital Gains - 2012

Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Lower Capital Gains and Dividend Tax Rates Extended Through 2012.
The tax rate reductions for long-term capital gains remain in effect for 2011 and 2012.
If tax bracket = 10% or 15% the Short Term CG taxed at ordinary rates
Long Term CG and Qualifing Dividends tax rate = 0%
If tax bracket = greater than 15% the Short Term CG taxed at ordinary rates
Long Term CG and Qualifing Dividends tax rate = 15%
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