Tax Year 2007

Highlights of 2007 Tax Changes: Law Raises AMT Exemption, Filers of Five Forms Must Wait Until Feb. 11

FS-2008-1, January 2008

AMT exemptions rise. Filing is delayed for some taxpayers. Several popular deductions reappear on IRS forms. Tax relief is available to struggling homeowners whose mortgage debt is forgiven. Retirement savings incentives expand. A new deduction is available for some mortgage insurance premiums. And new recordkeeping rules apply to cash donations to charity.

These are among the changes taxpayers will find when they fill out their 2007 tax returns. More information about the changes, summarized below, can be found on IRS.gov and in various IRS documents, including the Instructions for Form 1040.

AMT Exemption Increased for One Year

For tax-year 2007, Congress raised the alternative minimum tax exemption to $66,250 for a married couple filing a joint return, up from $62,550 in 2006. The exemption rises to $33,125 for a married person filing separately, up from $31,275, and it rises to $44,350 for singles and heads of household, up from $42,500. Under current law, these exemption amounts will drop to $45,000, $22,500 and $33,750, respectively, in 2008. Form 6251 and the AMT Calculator, which is being updated and will be available later in January, provide more information.

While the vast majority of taxpayers can file as usual, about 13.5 million taxpayers who file any of five tax forms affected by recent tax law changes related to the AMT will have to wait until Feb. 11, 2008, to file their returns. IRS.gov has more information on this important subject, including a list of affected forms and questions and answers.

Extender Tax Breaks Reappear on IRS Forms

Several popular tax breaks, renewed too late to be included on 2006 forms, once again appear as separate items on various 2007 IRS forms. As a result, unlike last year, eligible taxpayers will no longer have to follow special instructions in order to claim the deduction for state and local sales taxes, the educator expense deduction and the tuition and fees deduction.

Those who itemize, rather than taking the standard deduction, can choose to claim state and local sales taxes on Form 1040 Schedule A, Line 5.

The educator expense deduction is reported on Form 1040, Line 23 or Form 1040A, Line 16.

Taxpayers who choose to claim the tuition and fees deduction must fill out and attach new Form 8917. The resulting deduction is reported on Form 1040 Line 34 or Form 1040A Line 19. Note that many who qualify for the tuition and fees deduction may reap greater tax savings by instead claiming the Hope credit or the lifetime learning credit for a particular student. Figure these credits on Form 8863. Publication 970 has details on these and other education-related tax benefits.

Contribution Limits Rise for IRAs and Other Retirement Plans

This filing season, more people can make tax-deductible contributions to a traditional IRA. The deduction is phased out for singles and heads of household who are covered by a workplace retirement plan, with incomes between $52,000 and $62,000, compared to $50,000 to $60,000 last year. The phase-out range is $83,000 to $103,000, up from $75,000 to $85,000 last year, if the spouse making the IRA contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan. Where an IRA contributor, not covered by a workplace retirement plan, is married to someone who is covered, the deduction is phased out if the couple’s income is between $156,000 and $166,000, up from $150,000 to $160,000 in 2006. The phase-out range remains $0 to $10,000 for a married individual filing a separate return who is covered by a retirement plan at work. Use the worksheet in the line instructions for Form 1040 Line 32 or Form 1040A Line 17 to figure the IRA deduction.

For 2007 and 2008, the elective deferral (contribution) limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans rises $500, to $15,500. The catch-up contribution limit for those aged 50 to 70-½ remains at $5,000. For SIMPLE plans, the limit is also up $500, to $10,500, and the catch-up limit remains $2,500.
This year for the first time income limits for the saver’s credit are adjusted for inflation. The saver’s credit supplements other tax benefits available to low- and- moderate income taxpayers who save for retirement. Begun in 2002 as a temporary provision, the saver’s credit is now a permanent part of the tax code. Use Form 8880 to claim the credit.

Mortgage Insurance Premiums May be Deductible

Some borrowers may be able to deduct mortgage insurance premiums paid on mortgages taken out or refinanced during 2007. A borrower who prepays premiums for later years may deduct only the premiums that relate to 2007, except for prepayments for guarantees made by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Rural Housing Service. Only mortgage insurance contracts issued during 2007, 2008, 2009 or 2010 qualify for this new itemized deduction. Proceeds of the mortgage, secured by a first or second home, must be used exclusively to buy, build or improve these homes, or alternatively, to refinance a mortgage, secured by the home and used for these purposes. Home-equity loans used for other purposes are not eligible. The deduction for mortgage insurance premiums is phased out for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes exceeding $100,000 ($50,000, if married filing separately). Claim this deduction on Schedule A, Line 13. Further details are in Publication 936.

New Rules for Giving to Charity

To deduct any charitable donation of money, taxpayers must have a bank record or a written communication from the recipient showing the name of the organization and the date and amount of the contribution. Though taxpayers are already required to keep records to support their contribution deductions, this new provision is designed to provide greater certainty, both to taxpayers and the government, in determining what may be deducted as a charitable contribution. See Publication 526.

Standard Mileage Rates Adjusted for 2007

The standard mileage rate for business use of a car, van, pick-up or panel truck is 48.5 cents a mile, up 4 cents from 2006.

The standard mileage rate for the cost of operating a vehicle for medical reasons or as part of a deductible move is 20 cents a mile, up 2 cents over last year.

The standard mileage rate for using a car to provide services to charitable organizations is set by law and remains at 14 cents a mile.

Inflation Adjustments for 2007

Personal exemptions and standard deductions rise, tax brackets are widened and more than three dozen individual and business tax provisions are adjusted to keep pace with inflation. A complete rundown of these changes can be found at 2007 Inflation Adjustments Widen Tax Brackets, Change Tax Benefits.

Popular items adjusted include the following:

*
The value of each personal and dependency exemption is $3,400, up $100 from 2006. Most taxpayers can take personal exemptions for themselves and an additional exemption for each eligible dependent. An individual who qualifies as someone else’s dependent cannot claim a personal exemption, and personal and dependency exemptions are phased out for higher-income taxpayers.
*
The standard deduction is $10,700 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widow(er)s, a $400 increase over 2006; $5,350 for singles and married individuals filing separate returns, up $200; and $7,850 for heads of household, up $300. Higher amounts apply to blind people and senior citizens. The standard deduction is often reduced for a taxpayer who qualifies as someone else’s dependent. Nearly two out of three taxpayers take the standard deduction, rather than itemizing deductions, such as mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and state and local taxes.
*
The maximum earned income tax credit is $4,716 for taxpayers with two or more qualifying children, $2,853 for those with one child and $428 for people with no children. Last year’s maximums were $4,536, $2,747 and $412, respectively. Available to low and moderate income workers and working families, the EITC helps taxpayers whose incomes are below certain income thresholds, which in 2007 rise to $39,783 for those with two or more children, $35,241 for people with one child and $14,590 for those with no children. One in six taxpayers claim the EITC, which unlike most tax breaks, is refundable, meaning that people can get it even if they owe no tax and even if no tax is taken out of their paychecks.

Other Changes

Taxpayers can exclude up to $2 million of debt forgiven on their principal residence. The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a separate return. This provision applies to debt forgiven in 2007, 2008 or 2009. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure qualify for this relief.

Employees working for employers who failed to withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes should use new Form 8919 to report and pay their share of these taxes. This includes section 530 employees — that is, people who work for employers claiming relief from federal payroll taxes under section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978. It also includes employees who are treated as independent contractors but who have received a determination letter from the IRS which states they are employees.

Workers who believe they are misclassified as independent contractors can file Form SS-8 with the IRS and request a determination of their worker classification. For employees, the Social Security tax rate is 6.2 percent and the Medicare tax rate is 1.45 percent. Normally, employers withhold these taxes from workers’ pay, match these amounts and turn over the combined amounts to the IRS. Workers, properly classified as independent contractors, should not use Form 8919 but instead, continue to use Schedule SE. IRS Publication 1779 has further details on employee versus independent contractor status.

A retired public safety officer can exclude from income up to $3,000 in distributions from an eligible government retirement plan used to pay the premiums on accident and health insurance or long-term care insurance. Distributions must be made directly from the plan to the insurance provider. Retired law enforcement officers, firefighters, chaplains and members of rescue squads or ambulance crews qualify for this provision. Claim the exclusion on Form 1040 Line 16 or Form 1040A Line 12.

There’s no telephone tax refund for 2007, but it’s not too late to request this one-time refund on a 2006 return. Most telephone customers, including most cell-phone users, qualify for the refund. Eligible telephone customers who filed a 2006 tax return but overlooked this special excise tax refund can file an amended return using Form 1040X. Those who never filed for tax year 2006 can request it when they file their 2006 return. Phone customers who don’t need to file a regular income-tax return, including many low-income people and senior citizens, can use a special short form, Form 1040EZ-T, to request the refund.

Compensated work therapy payments received by some veterans, unable to work, are now tax-free. Because these are tax-free veterans’ benefits, recipients will no longer receive Forms 1099, reporting these payments, from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Disabled veterans who paid tax on these benefits in 2004, 2005 and 2006 can claim a refund by filing an amended return using Form 1040X. See news release IR-2007-198 for details.

Tax Year 2006

The most up to date versions of what the IRS has given us so far of thier tax law changes. Cick here to go back to the index

Alternative Minimum Tax

For tax year 2006, the exemption amount for alternative minimum tax (AMT) has been increased as follows:

* Single -- $42,500
* Married filing jointly or surviving spouse -- $62,550
* Head of household -- $42,500
* Married filing separately -- $31,275

Restrictions on Charitable Contributions
Cash contributions.

All cash contributions made in tax years beginning after August 17, 2006, to any qualified charity must be supported by a dated bank record or a dated receipt. The tax year for most individual taxpayers begins on January 1.
Clothing and household items.

Beginning with contributions made after August 17, 2006, no deduction is allowed for most contributions of clothing and household items unless the donated property is in good used condition or better.

Earned Income Credit Amounts Increase
Earned income amount.

The maximum amount of income you can earn and still get the credit is higher for 2006 than it is for 2005. You may be able to take the credit for 2006 if:

* You have more than one qualifying child and you earn less than $36,348 ($38,348 if married filing jointly),
* You have one qualifying child and you earn less than $32,001 ($34,001 if married filing jointly), or
* You do not have a qualifying child and you earn less than $12,120 ($14,120 if married filing jointly).

The maximum amount of adjusted gross income (AGI) you can have and still get the credit has also increased. You may be able to take the credit if your AGI is less than the amount in the above list that applies to you.
Investment income amount.

The maximum amount of investment income you can have in 2006 and still get the credit increases to $2,800.

Electric and Alternative Motor Vehicles

For 2006, the list of vehicles that are qualified hybrid vehicles for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit has been expanded. The tax credit for hybrid vehicles applies for vehicles purchased on or after January 1, 2006, and could be as much as $3,400 for those who purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicles.

See IR-2006-86, dated June 1, 2006, and the news article, Summary of the Credit for Qualified Hybrid Vehicles, for more information.

Exemption Amount Increased

The amount you can deduct for each exemption has increased from $3,200 in 2005 to $3,300 in 2006.

You may lose part of the benefit of your exemptions if your adjusted gross income is above a certain amount. The amount at which the phaseout begins depends on your filing status. For 2006, the phaseout begins at:

* $112,875 for married persons filing separately,
* $150,500 for single individuals,
* $188,150 for heads of household, and
* $225,750 for married persons filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)s.

If your adjusted gross income is above the amount for your filing status, use the Deduction for Exemptions Worksheet in the Form 1040 instructions to figure the amount you can deduct for exemptions.

Social Security and Medicare Taxes

For 2006, the employer and employee will continue to pay:

1. 6.2% each for social security tax (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance), and
2. 1.45% each for Medicare tax (hospital insurance).

Wage limits. For social security tax, the maximum amount of 2006 wages subject to the tax has increased from $90,000 to $94,200. For Medicare tax, all covered 2006 wages are subject to the tax.

New Option to Split Refunds Between Bank Accounts

Beginning in 2007, a new refund option is available for filers of Form 1040, Form 1040A, Form 1040EZ, Form 1040NR, Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040-PR, and Form 1040-SS.

Filers of these tax forms for 2006 will be able to elect to have their federal income tax refund automatically deposited into two or three accounts at a bank or other financial institution (such as a mutual fund, brokerage firm, or credit union). Individuals electing this split refund option must file Form 8888, Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account, which will be available by the end of 2006.

Standard Deduction Amount Increased

The standard deduction for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040 is, in most cases, higher for 2006 than it was for 2005. The amount depends on your filing status, whether you are 65 or older or blind, and whether an exemption can be claimed for you by another taxpayer.

The basic standard deduction amounts for 2006 are:

* Head of household — $7,550
* Married taxpayers filing jointly and qualifying widow(er)s — $10,300
* Married taxpayers filing separately — $5,150
* Single — $5,150

The standard deduction amount for an individual who may be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer may not exceed the greater of $850 or the sum of $300 and the individual's earned income.

Standard Mileage Rates

For tax years beginning in 2006, the allowable deductions for the standard mileage rate are as follows:

* Business miles. The standard mileage rate for the cost of operating your car changes to 44.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven.
* Charitable services. The standard mileage rate allowed for use of your car when you use your car to provide charitable services to a charitable organization is 14 cents a mile.
* Charitable services — Hurricane Katrina relief services. If you used your vehicle in giving services to a charitable organization to provide relief related to Hurricane Katrina, the standard mileage rate allowed for use of your car is 32 cents a mile.
* Medical reasons. The standard mileage rate allowed for use of your car for medical reasons is 18 cents a mile.
* Moving. The standard mileage rate for determining moving expenses is 18 cents a mile.

Tax-Exempt Interest Reporting

Beginning in 2006, state and local governments are required to report interest paid on tax-exempt state and local bonds on Form 1099-INT, Interest Income. This amount must be shown on your tax return and is for information only.

2006 Federal Income Tax Rate Schedules

The 2006 tax rate schedules are provided so that you can compute your estimated tax for 2006.

Changes for years 2005,

The most up to date versions of what the IRS has given us so far of thier tax law changes. Cick here to go back to the index