Understanding AGI Limitations & Phase Outs |
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AGI is the acronym for Adjusted Gross Income. It is generally the sum of a taxpayer's income less adjustments (before deductions and exemptions). Many tax benefits and allowances, such as credits, deductions, exemptions, etc., are limited by a taxpayer's AGI.
Get a Big Refund this Year? |
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The IRS estimates that approximately 70 million Americans received or will receive tax refunds this year averaging around $1,700. If you are among those who received a refund, you are probably celebrating. While some consider a large refund cause for celebration, it's actually a financial mistake that becomes particularly costly for those who get refunds year after year.
The Child Credit was first introduced in 1998, when taxpayers were allowed to claim a $400 tax credit for their qualified children who were under the age of 17 at the end of the tax year. Per prior tax law changes, the child credit has been increased to $1,000 through 2010. Without further legislation, the credit will revert to $500 in 2011.
Years of Inflation and the AMT Pose a Growing Tax Threat |
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Your tax will be the higher of the tax computed the regular way or the Alternative Minimum Tax. Anticipating when the AMT will affect you is difficult, because it is usually the result of a combination of circumstances. In addition to those items listed above, watch out for transactions involving limited partnerships, depreciation and business tax credits only allowed against the regular tax. All of these can strongly impact your bottom line tax and raise a question of possible AMT.
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