Present

New law

Individual income tax rates

Lowest bracket is 15%

Create new low-rate bracket of 10% for first $10,000 for HH, and $12,000 for MFJ effective, and $6,000 of income for all other filing status, effective for years beginning after December 31, 2000.

Individual income tax rates

The tax brackets are 15%, 28%, 31%, 36%, and 39.6%

For 2001 the rates of 28%, 31%, 36%, and 39.6% will be reduced to 27.5%, 30.5%, 35.5%, and 39.1%, respectively.  (The reduction takes place effective July 1, 2001, therefore instead of one full percentage point, the reduction is ½ of a percentage point.)

For 2002 and 2003 the rates of 28%, 31%, 36%, and 39.6% will be reduced to 27%, 30%, 35%, and 38.6%, respectively.

Individual income tax rates

Individual income tax rates (cont.)

none

An “advance refund check” will be sent to taxpayer for part of the amount of tax savings they will have as a result of these bracket changes.  The “advance refund check” will be equal to the amount of savings a taxpayer would have had for their 2000 tax return if the creation of the 10% bracket had been in effect for 2000.  (The 2000 return is used as the basis for determining the amount of the advance check and for no other purpose.  The purpose of this advance refund check is to put funds into the hands of the taxpayers so they will spend them and thus stimulate the economy.)

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Present

New law

Individual income tax rates (cont.)

Instead of having the 10% bracket incorporated into the tables and schedules for 2001, the 2001 return will have a credit equal to the amount of savings a taxpayer has as a result of the creation of this 10% bracket less the amount of the “advance refund check” already given to the taxpayer, (but not below zero).

Individuals not eligible for this advance refund check include estates or trusts, nonresident aliens, and dependents.  (Act §101(b))

Individual income tax rates

Withholding tables are changed effective January 1^st of each year

Special withholding rates apply to unemployment compensation, gambling winnings, etc.

Change withholding as soon as possible for 2001, to take into account the rate changes for 2001.

The special withholding rates applicable to unemployment compensation, gambling winnings, etc. will be at the applicable new rate.  For example, the 31% rate applicable to back-up withholding will now be at the 30.5% rate for the rest of 2001, beginning with payments after 60 days after President Bush signs the Act.  (Act §101(c))

Phase-out of personal exemptions

Phase-out begins at various levels based on filing status

The existing phase-out of personal exemptions is repealed for years beginning after December 31, 2009.  For the years 2006 & 2007 the phase-out will be reduced by 1/3, and another 1/3 for 2008 & 2009.  (Act §102)

Phase-out of itemized deductions

Phase-out begins at $132,950 ($66,475 for MFS)

The existing phase-out of itemized deductions is repealed for years beginning after December 31, 2009.  For the years 2006 & 2007 the phase-out is reduced by 1/3, and another 1/3 for 2008 & 2009.  (Act §103)

Child Tax Credit

$500 credit for each child under age 17, with phase-out at various levels based on filing status

This amount is increased as follows:  (Act §201(a))

Child Tax Credit

Nonrefundable except when a taxpayer has three or more children

Refundable to the extent of 10% of taxpayer’s earned income in excess of $10,000 (as indexed).  This rate increases to 15% for years beginning after December 31, 2004.

 The provision for families with three or more children remains and is used after the new provision above.

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Present

New law

Child Tax Credit

AMT calculated before credit through 2001

AMT is permanently calculated before this credit.  (Act §201(b))

Adoption Credit and Assistance Programs

A credit is allowed for up to $5,000 of qualifying expenses ($6,000 for a special needs child).  This credit ends for non-special needs children as of December 31, 2001.

The exclusion from income applies for this same amount when an employer is providing adoption assistance payments to an employee.  The exclusion from income for a non-special needs child ends after December 31, 2001.

The credit is permanently extended for the adoption of all children.

The credit is increased to $10,000 of qualifying expenses for all non-special needs children.  The credit continues to be allowed in the year after the year the expenses are paid, except for expenses paid or incurred in the year the adoption becomes final in which case the credit for those expenses is allowed in the year the adoption becomes final.

 The credit is automatically $10,000 for all special needs children, regardless of the amount of qualifying expenses, although the credit is only allowed in the year the adoption of the special needs child becomes final.

 The exclusion from income for employer provided benefits is permanently extended for the adoption of all children.

 The exclusion is increased to $10,000 of qualifying expenses for all non-special needs children.  The exclusion is automatically $10,000 for all special needs children, regardless of the amount of qualifying expenses.

 These provisions are generally effective with costs incurred and paid after December 31, 2001.  Although the limitation of $10,000 applies for the adoption of all children starting after December 31, 2001, the automatic $10,000 allowed for special needs children is effective for adoptions finalized after December 31, 2002.

Adoption Credit and Assistance Programs

The credit and exclusion is phased out at various income levels.

The start of the phase-out based on AGI increases from $75,000 to $150,000, beginning with years beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §202(b))

Adoption Credit and Assistance Programs

The credit is allowed to be used after AMT calculations for years through 2001.

AMT is permanently calculated before this credit.  (Act §202(f))

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Present

New law

Dependent Care Credit

Maximum credit is 30% with the rate decreasing by one percentage point for each $2,000 (or fraction thereof) that the taxpayer’s AGI exceeds $10,000, down to a minimum credit of 20% ($28,000 of AGI).

Maximum eligible expenses are $2,400 for one child and $4,800 for two or more children

Maximum credit is 35% with the rate decreasing by one percentage point for each $2,000 (or fraction thereof) that the taxpayer’s AGI exceeds $15,000, down to a minimum credit of 20% ($43,000 of AGI).

Maximum eligible expenses are $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more children.

These provisions are effective for years beginning after December 31, 2002.

Child Care Assistance Credit for Employers

Employers can deduct expenses relating to supporting child care.

A credit is allowed for 25% of qualified child care expenses and 10% of qualified child care resource and referral expenditures (up to a maximum credit of $150,000 per year) for providing a qualified child care facility.  There are many restrictions to this provision, but it will still benefit many employers who make or provide day care facilities for their employees. This is effective for years beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §205)

Marriage penalty

Standard deduction

Increase standard deduction for MFJ to twice the amount allowed for unmarried taxpayer filing as Single, phased-in over five years beginning in 2005.  (Tax year 2005 will provide MFJ filers a standard deduction equal to 174% of the amount allowed to taxpayers filing Single.)  (Act §301)

Marriage penalty

The MFJ 15% tax bracket is higher than the Single tax bracket, but not double

Increase the MFJ 15% tax bracket ceiling to twice the Single 15% tax bracket ceiling, phased-in over four years beginning in 2005.  (Tax year 2005 will provide MFJ filers a 15% tax bracket ceiling equal to 180% of the amount allowed to taxpayers filing Single.)  (Act §302)

Earned income tax credit

The starting of the phase-out of the EIC for MFJ filers is the same as Single filers

The starting of the phase-out of the EIC for MFJ filers will be higher than Single filers, effective for years beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §303(a))

Earned income tax credit

Nontaxable earned income is included in computation

Only includes earned income included in the taxpayer’s gross income.   This simplifies the calculation by removing the former inclusion of nontaxable earned income from the computation of the EIC.  Effective for year beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §303(b))

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Present

New law

Earned income tax credit

Modified AGI must be calculated

Replaces “modified AGI” with “AGI”.  Effective after 2001.  (Act §303(d))

Earned income tax credit

Earned income credit definition of qualifying child is somewhat confusing, especially “foster child”

Some simplification exists.  Now a qualifying child must be

1)      A son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter, or a descendant of any such individual,

2)      A brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister, or a descendant of such, or

3)      An eligible foster child of the taxpayer.  A foster child is defined as an individual who:

a)      is placed by an authorized placement agency, and

b)      the taxpayer cares for as his/her own child.

Earned income tax credit

Tie-breaker rules when two people are eligible for EIC for same child basically say higher AGI

New tie-breaker rules exist in this order:

1)      If one taxpayer is the child’s parent, that taxpayer is the only one who can receive the credit,

2)      If both taxpayers are the child’s parents, the one the child lives with most during the year is the “winner”,

3)      If both taxpayers are the child’s parents and the child lived with both equally, then the parent with the highest AGI is the “winner”, and

4)      If no one claiming the child is the child’s parent, then the taxpayer with the highest AGI is the “winner”.

Education IRAs

$500 annual contribution.

A phase-out for MFJ beginning at $150,000 with a $10,000 range

The contribution limit increases to $2,000.

The phase-out for MFJ begins at $190,000 with a $30,000 phase-out range.

Education IRAs

Distributions deemed taken at age 30

This does not apply in the case of a special needs beneficiary, to be defined by regulations.  Effective for year beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §401(d))

Education IRAs

Contributions must be made by December 31

Contributions are treated as if made on the last day of the year if they are made by the unextended due date of the contributor’s Federal income tax return for the contribution year (generally April 15 for individuals).  This is effective for years beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §401(f))

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Present

New law

Education IRAs

Contributions must be made by individuals

Contributions can be made by corporations and other entities (including tax-exempt organizations) regardless of their income during the year of the contribution.  This is effective for years beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §401(e))

Education IRAs

Qualified expenses are defined and must be for “higher” (post-secondary) education

Qualified expenses is expanded to include:

1)      Expenses for tuition, fees, academic tutoring, special need services, books, supplies, and other equipment incurred in connection with the enrollment or attendance of the beneficiary at a public, private, or religious school,

2)      Expenses for room and board, uniforms, transportation, and supplementary items or services (including extended day programs) required or provided by such a school in connection with such enrollment, and

3)      Expenses for the purchase of any computer technology or equipment (as defined in §170(e)(6)(F)(i)) or Internet access and related services, if such technology, equipment, or services are to be used by the beneficiary and the beneficiary’s family during any of the year the beneficiary is in school.

The term “school” includes any school that provides elementary or secondary education (K-12), as determined under State law, as well as “higher” education as provided under the former law.

Education IRAs

Contributions cannot be made after beneficiary reaches age 18

The age limitation does not apply in the case of a special needs beneficiary, to be defined by regulations.  Effective for year beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §401(d))

Education IRAs

Excess contributions must be removed by the due date of the beneficiary’s tax return for the year of the contribution.  If no return is filed, the excess must be removed by the 15^th day of the 4^th month after the end of the year.

Excess contributions must be removed before the 1^st day of the 6^th month following the year for which the contributions were made.  (Normally this will be “before June 1^st”.)

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Present

New law

Education IRAs

Exclusion does not apply if Hope or Lifetime Learning credit is claimed for this student

Both the exclusion and the credits can be claimed for the same student in the same year, but the exclusion cannot be claimed for the same dollars used to determine the amount of the credits.  Effective for years beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §401(g))

State Tuition Programs

Existence under §529 is limited to state programs

This is expanded to include educational institutions once they obtain a ruling or determination that their program meets the requirements. Effective with contributions after 2001 and distributions after 2003.  (Act §402(a)(1))

State Tuition Programs

The State must impose a non de minimis monetary penalty for nonqualifying distributions

An additional 10% tax is assessed on the amount of nonqualifying distributions after December 31, 2003.  The same exceptions that apply to nonqualifying distributions from Education IRAs also apply to these programs.  (Act §402)

State Tuition Programs

Qualifying expenses include room and board

The definition of “room and board” is changed to the amount that is used for determining costs when applying for Federal financial aid programs.  (Act §402(e))

Employer provided educational assistance

The exclusion from income for this benefit has been extended temporarily many times

The exclusion from income for employer provided educational assistance is made permanent.  (Act §411(a))

Employer provided education assistance

Employer provided educational assistance for graduate level courses are not eligible for the exclusion.

Graduate level courses qualify for the exclusion effective for courses beginning after December 31, 2001.  (Act §411(b))

Student loan interest

Limited to a 60-month payment period

Unlimited payment period for interest paid after December 31, 2001, in tax years ending after December 31, 2001.  (Act §412(a))

Student loan interest

Phase-out limitation applies

The phase-out limits are increased to $50,000 ($100,000 for MFJ), with a phase-out range of $15,000 ($30,000 for MFJ), effective for tax years ending after December 31, 2001.  (Act §412(b))

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Present

New law

Education expense deduction

Limited to work related expenses and is part of the 2% Miscellaneous Itemized deductions

1)      Creates an above the line deduction for up to $3,000 (per return) of expenses in 2002 & 2003 if modified AGI is not more than $65,000 ($130,000 for MFJ, $0 for MFS).  (No deduction is allowed if modified AGI exceeds these amounts, respectively)

2)      This increases to $4,000 in 2004 & 2005 if modified AGI is not more than $65,000 ($130,000 for MFJ, $0 for MFS); $2,000 if AGI is over $65,000 but not over $80,000 ($160,000 for MFJ, $0 for MFS). (No deduction is allowed if modified AGI exceeds these amounts, respectively)

3)      Deduction is not permitted for a student if either the Hope or Lifetime Learning credit is taken for a student.

4)      Expenses have same definition as Hope and Lifetime Learning credits.

5)      Denied if taxpayer is eligible to be claimed by another taxpayer.

6)      Deduction is denied for nonresident aliens.

Estate tax