Most sweeping tax changes since 1986
On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The TCJA made widespread changes to the Internal Revenue Code which will affect your 2018 tax return. Here are some of the more common changes that could affect your tax return.
Personal exemption rate is reduced to zero.
Prior to 2018, a personal exemption amount of over $4,000 per person could be used to reduce taxable income. This personal exemption amount has been reduced to zero for 2018 through 2025.
Standard deduction increase.
The standard deduction for most returns has been almost doubled over the amount that was allowed last year. The deduction for Single and Married Filing Separately returns is $12,000, Head of Household returns is $18,000, and Married Filing Jointly and Qualifying Widow(er) returns is $24,000. The additional amounts for being over 65 or blind will still be allowed. Because of this change, this year many taxpayers will find that claiming the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions will give them a lower tax. State Alert: New York, and some other states, are not following federal law, so you might use the standard deduction for federal purposes, but still itemize on your state return.
(And you thought TCJA was tax simplification?)
SSN Required for Child Tax Credit (CTC).
An SSN is now required to claim CTC. No credit will be allowed for any qualifying child unless the taxpayer provides that child's SSN or a Work Authorization Permit from Homeland Security. Prior to this year, CTC could be claimed for a child who had an ITIN.
Increase in CTC.
The Child Tax Credit has been increased from $1,000 to $2,000 for 2018. The modified adjusted gross income threshold where the credit is phased out is $400,000 for joint filers and $200,000 for all others (up from $230,000 and $115,000, respectively), so many more taxpayers will be able to claim this credit. The maximum age for a child eligible for the credit remains 16 (at the end of the tax year).
New Credit for Other Dependents (ODC).
Beginning in 2018, a new $500 credit is available for dependents who do not qualify for the CTC. Most dependents listed on the tax return who do not qualify for CTC will now qualify for the smaller ODC, including parents who are claimed as dependents.
Medical.
For taxpayers of all ages, the deduction threshold for medical expenses is 7.5% of AGI.
State and local taxes (SALT).
There is a cap on the deduction for state and local taxes paid. The deduction for state and local income taxes, real estate taxes, and personal property taxes combined is limited to $10,000 per return, ($5,000 for Married Filing Separately returns).
Limitation on deduction for home mortgage interest.
You may be able to deduct mortgage interest only on the first $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately) of indebtedness. Higher limitations apply if you are deducting mortgage interest from indebtedness incurred on or before December 15, 2017.
No deduction for home equity loan interest.
No matter when the indebtedness was incurred, you can no longer deduct the interest paid on a home equity loan unless loan proceeds were used to buy, build, or improve your home.
Limitation on the deduction for casualty and theft losses.
You can no longer deduct a personal casualty or theft loss unless the loss occurred in a federally declared disaster area.
Deductions for employee business expenses eliminated.
One of the biggest changes under this new law was the elimination of the deduction for unreimbursed employee business expenses beginning with 2018 tax returns. This effectively means that employees will no longer be able to offset their taxable income by common business expenses they incur. (Business expenses of self-employed individuals are not affected.)
Form 2106, Employee Business Expenses, is now to be used only for certain categories of employee:
• Qualified performing artists
• Fee-based state or local government officials
• Armed forces reservists
• Employees with impairment-related work expenses
Standard mileage rate.
The 2018 standard mileage rate is 54.5 cents per mile for business miles. But you can't deduct it as an unreimbursed employee expense.
Moving expenses.
Beginning January 1, 2018, moving expenses cannot be deducted by most people. Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who move pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station can still deduct moving expenses and exclude reimbursed moving expenses. Additionally, most taxpayers cannot exclude employer reimbursements for moving expenses from income.
Qualified Business Income Deduction (QBID).
A new deduction for qualified business income from a trade or business, including sole proprietorships, S corporations, or partnerships, is available on Form 1040. QBI doesn't include W-2 wages. The deduction is subject to many limitations, such as income level and type of business. If you have QBI, you can reduce your taxable income, whether you itemize deductions or claim the standard deduction. In its simplest form, if adjusted gross income less itemized or standard deduction is under $157,500 ($315,000 for joint filers) you can deduct 20% of your QBI from income before computing your tax. This is going to a complex area for the next few years, as the IRS hammers out what is, or is not, a qualified business.
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).
Fewer taxpayers will be subject to AMT due to increased exemption amounts and phaseout thresholds.
Depreciation changes.
There are numerous changes to how depreciation can be claimed on assets purchased during 2018. Many assets can be entirely written off in 2018 rather than being depreciated over several years.
Healthcare Mandate Penalty Repealed for 2019.
Beginning in 2019, individuals who fail to carry health insurance will no longer be required to pay an individual shared responsibility payment with their tax return. For your 2018 return, if you did not have the required coverage, the penalty applies in full.
Where do we go from here?
There is a lot to digest in the new tax law, and IRS is likely to issue a great deal of explanatory rules and regulations over the next few years before we fully understand what just happened. I will continue to provide updates and explanations, and I will explore future "loopholes" as they appear.
Stay tuned for more info, and consider signing up for my newsletter using the link at the bottom of any page. And if you are on Facebook, you can follow my company page by searching for @CheekCPA.
