The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has recently issued the 2021 tax year’s annual tax inflation adjustments for over 60 provisions, comprising of the schedules of tax rates, standard deductions, itemized deductions, medical savings amounts and more. The document, Revenue Procedure 2020-45, gives a comprehensive look into these new adjustments for 2021, but Doeren Mayhew’s tax advisors outline the important tax inflation adjustments that taxpayers should be cognizant of.

Minimum Addition Tax Update

The amount of the minimum addition tax for failing to file a tax return within 60 days of the due date was increased by the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2020. Starting with returns due after Dec. 31, 2019, there is now a new additional tax of $435 or 100% of the amount of tax due, whichever is less. This is an increase from the previous $330 additional tax, and the $435 tax will be adjusted for inflation.

2021 Tax Inflation Adjustments: What Taxpayers Should Know

As year-end approaches, more and more taxpayers begin to wonder what tax inflation adjustments to expect for the upcoming year. The following 2021 tax year adjustments will apply to tax returns filed in 2022 and should be taken into consideration for planning purposes.

Standard Deductions

  • The standard deduction for married couples filing jointly increases $300 from 2020 to $25,100. For both single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction increases to $12,550, up $150 from 2020. Heads of household will see a $150 increase from 2020 to $18,800.
  • As it was eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the personal exemption for 2021 remains at 0.

Marginal Rates

In 2021, the top tax rate stays at 37% for individuals with incomes above $523,600 and $628,300 for married couples filing jointly. According to the IRS’s website, additional rates include:

  • 35% for incomes over $209,425 ($418,850 for married couples filing jointly);
  • 32% for incomes over $164,925 ($329,850 for married couples filing jointly);
  • 24% for incomes over $86,375 ($172,750 for married couples filing jointly);
  • 22% for incomes over $40,525 ($81,050 for married couples filing jointly);
  • 12% for incomes over $9,950 ($19,900 for married couples filing jointly).
  • The lowest rate is 10% for incomes of single individuals with incomes of $9,950 or less ($19,900 for married couples filing jointly).

Itemized Deductions

There continues to not be a limitation on itemized deductions as the limitation was removed by the TCJA.

Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption

The 2021 Alternative Minimum Tax exemption is $73,600 and it starts phasing out at $523,600 for individuals. For married couples filing jointly, the exemption is $114,600 and starts phasing out at $1,047,200. In 2020, the exemption for individuals was $72,900 and it began to phase out at $518,400. For married couples filing jointly, the exemption was $113,400 and it began phasing out at $1,036,800.

Maximum Earned Income Credit 

For taxpayers who have three or more qualifying children, the 2021 maximum Earned Income Credit is $6,728, an increase of $68 from 2020. There’s a table in the revenue procedure which provides the Maximum Earned Income Credit for additional categories, as well as income thresholds and phase-out amounts.

Monthly Limitations for Transportation

The 2021 monthly limitation for the qualified transportation fringe benefit stays at $270, as well as the monthly limitation for qualified parking.

Limitation for Employee Salary Reductions

The limitation for employee salary reductions for contributions to health flexible spending arrangements stays at $2,750 for taxable years starting with 2021. If a cafeteria plan allows for the carryover of unused amounts, the maximum is $550, a $50 increase from before. 

Medical Savings Accounts

In 2021, participating individuals who have coverage for themselves only in a Medical Savings Account must have an annual deductible no less than $2,400 (formerly $2,350) but no more than $3,600 (formerly $3,550). The maximum out-of-pocket expense amount is $4,800 (formerly $4,750).

For participants with family coverage, the base for the annual deductible is $4,800 (formerly $4,750) and the maximum is $7,150 (formerly $7,100). The maximum out-of-pocket expense amount is $8,750 (formerly $8,650).

Lifetime Learning Credit

In 2021, the adjusted gross income amount taxpayers will use to determine the reduction in the Lifetime Learning Credit is $119,000, a $1,000 increase.

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion 

The 2021 foreign earned income exclusion is $108,700, a $1,100 increase from the previous year.

Estate Basic Exclusion Amount 

Estates of decedents who die in 2021 will have a basic exclusion amount of $11,700,000, an increase of $120,000 from 2020.

Gifts

In calendar year 2021, the annual exclusion for gifts is $15,000, as it was in 2020.

Adoptions

The maximum credit permitted for adoptions in 2021 is the amount of qualified adoption expenses up to $14,440, a $100 increase from 2020.

Don’t Navigate Tax Changes Alone

With numerous new annual tax inflation adjustments, some of these provide beneficial tax breaks to individuals and families alike. If you have questions about these new adjustments and how they may affect your unique tax situation, Doeren Mayhew’s tax advisors are here to help. Contact us today for more information.

Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-provides-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2021