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Your 2018 Taxes: What to Expect

It’s that time of year again.  Tax time.  Before you file your 2018 taxes, we wanted to share an overview of the key tax changes affecting individuals made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Although this is just a general overview, we found this article to be very beneficial in helping our clients understand some of the key changes.

Taxpayers should anticipate some big changes when they file their 2018 federal income tax returns. Many of the tax changes made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) take effect in 2018 — and their impact will be significant. Here’s an overview of key tax changes affecting individuals.

Form 1040 Makeover

The U.S. Individual Income Tax Return — Form 1040 — has a new, streamlined look for 2018. The new form is about half the size but is accompanied by various new supplementary schedules that taxpayers must file as required. The IRS anticipates that taxpayers with straightforward tax situations will only need to file the new 1040 with no additional schedules.

Tax Rates and Brackets

As before, the tax rate schedules are graduated so that a certain amount of income is taxed at the lowest rate, an amount over that is taxed at the next lowest rate, and so on. The accompanying tables show how the 2018 tax rates and brackets for each filing status compare to those in effect for 2017. As you can see, most rates are lower and some brackets are wider under the revised schedules.

Tax Rate Schedules Compared

2018 2017
Single
10% $0 – $9,525 10% $0 – $9,325
12% $9,526 – $38,700 15% $9,326 – $37,950
22% $38,701 – $82,500 25% $37,951 – $91,900
24% $82,501 – $157,500 28% $91,901 – $191,650
32% $157,501 – $200,000 33% $191,651 – $416,700
35% $200,001 – $500,000 35% $416,701 – $418,400
37% Over $500,000 39.6% Over $418,400

 

2018 2017
Head of Household
10% $0 – $13,600 10% $0 – $13,350
12% $13,601 – $51,800 15% $13,351 – $50,800
22% $51,801 – $82,500 25% $50,801 – $131,200
24% $82,501 – $157,500 28% $131,201 – $212,500
32% $157,501 – $200,000 33% $212,501 – $416,700
35% $200,001 – $500,000 35% $416,701 – $444,550
37% Over $500,000 39.6% Over $444,550

 

2018 2017
Married Filing Jointly (and Surviving Spouses)
10% $0 – $19,050 10% $0 – $18,650
12% $19,051 – $77,400 15% $18,651 – $75,900
22% $77,401 – $165,000 25% $75,901 – $153,100
24% $165,001 – $315,000 28% $153,101 – $233,350
32% $315,001 – $400,000 33% $233,351 – $416,700
35% $400,001 – $600,000 35% $416,701 – $470,700
37% Over $600,000 39.6% Over $470,700

 

2018 2017
Married Filing Separately
10% $0 – $9,525 10% $0 – $9,325
12% $9,526 – $38,700 15% $9,326 – $37,950
22% $38,701 – $82,500 25% $37,951 – $76,550
24% $82,501 – $157,500 28% $76,551 – $116,675
32% $157,501 – $200,000 33% $116,676 – $208,350
35% $200,001 – $300,000 35% $208,351 – $235,350
37% Over $300,000 39.6% Over $235,350

What Else Has Changed for 2018?

Some other important points to keep in mind:

  • Capital gains rates remain the same, but there are new income breakpoints for determining when the rates apply.
  • The alternative minimum tax exemption amounts are higher, as are the income thresholds for phaseout of the exemptions.
  • Standard deductions have almost doubled for each filing status.
  • No deduction is available for personal exemptions.
  • A larger child tax credit of up to $2,000 per child under age 17 is available, and the income thresholds for phaseout of the credit are higher.
  • Up to 20% of qualified business income passed through from partnerships, S corporations, and sole proprietorships may be deductible on owners’ personal tax returns. (Various restrictions apply.)
  • The itemized deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) is capped at $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately).
  • Mortgage interest is still tax deductible for those who itemize. However, for homebuyers who incur home acquisition debt after December 15, 2017, there’s a new limit on the amount of debt that can qualify: generally $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately).
  • Interest on home equity debt — generally defined as debt that is secured by a qualified residence and that is taken out for reasons other than to acquire, build, or substantially improve that residence — is not deductible.
  • The floor applicable to the itemized medical expense deduction is 7.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI).
  • No itemized deduction is allowed for personal casualty and theft losses unless the loss is attributable to a federally declared disaster.
  • There is no itemized deduction for unreimbursed employee business expenses and certain miscellaneous expenses that in total exceed 2% of AGI.
  • The above-the-line deduction for work-related moving expenses is only available to members of the U.S. armed forces on active duty who move pursuant to a military order and incident to a permanent change of station.

 

There’s more to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 than can be covered in a general overview such as this one.

This content is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment advice.  You are encouraged to consult with competent legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment professionals based on your specific circumstances.  We do not make any warranties as to accuracy or completeness of this information, do not endorse any third-party companies, products or services described here, and take no liability for your use of this information. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited, except by permission. All rights reserved. Not responsible for any errors or omissions.