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There’s Still Time to Contribute to an IRA for 2021

Even though tax filing season is well under way, there’s still time to make a regular IRA contribution for 2021. You have until your tax return due date (not including extensions) to contribute up to $6,000 for 2021 ($7,000 if you were age 50 or older on or before December 31, 2021). For most taxpayers, the contribution deadline for 2021 is Monday, April 18, 2022. 

You can contribute to a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, or both, as long as your total contributions don’t exceed the annual limit (or, if less, 100% of your earned income). You may also be able to contribute to an IRA for your spouse for 2021, even if your spouse didn’t have any 2021 income. 

Continue reading “There’s Still Time to Contribute to an IRA for 2021”

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Plan Ahead to Help Ease the Burden of Tax Season

Most U.S. taxpayers “completely agree” (68%) or “mostly agree” (26%) that paying their fair share of taxes is a civic duty.1 However, no one wants to pay more than his or her fair share. To help avoid doing so, consider addressing some important priorities before you begin filling out your tax forms.

Here are some steps that might help reduce stress when preparing your return. Continue reading “Plan Ahead to Help Ease the Burden of Tax Season”

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Year-End 2021 Tax Tips

Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves before the end of the year.

Defer Income to Next Year

Consider opportunities to defer income to 2022, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then. For example, you may be able to defer a year-end bonus or delay the collection of business debts, rents, and payments for services in order to postpone payment of tax on the income until next year.  Continue reading “Year-End 2021 Tax Tips”

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Tax Filing Information for Coronavirus Distributions

In March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The legislation included a provision that allowed qualified retirement plan participants and IRA account holders to take penalty-free early distributions totaling no more than $100,000 between January 1 and December 31, 2020. If you took advantage of this measure, here’s what you need to know for tax filing. Continue reading “Tax Filing Information for Coronavirus Distributions”

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Charitable Giving

Charitable giving can play an important role in many estate plans. Philanthropy cannot only give you great personal satisfaction, it can also give you a current income tax deduction, let you avoid capital gains tax, and reduce the amount of taxes your estate may owe when you die.

There are many ways to give to charity. You can make gifts during your lifetime or at your death. You can make gifts outright or use a trust. You can name a charity as a beneficiary in your will, or designate a charity as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy. Or, if your gift is substantial, you can establish a private foundation, community foundation, or donor-advised fund. Continue reading “Charitable Giving”

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Key Numbers Projected for 2021

Key Numbers Projected for 2021

Even though the official numbers have not yet been published by the IRS, we wanted to send over the projected key tax figures for 2021. When the official numbers are released, we’ll share an update with an associated Email Alert.

Standard deduction
2020 Projected for 2021
Married filing jointly $24,800 $25,100
Head of household $18,650 $18,800
Single $12,400 $12,550
Married filing separately $12,400 $12,550
Standard deduction for dependent Greater of $1,100 or $350 + earned income Greater of $1,100 or $350 + earned income
Additional standard deduction for blind or aged (65 or older)
Single/Head of household $1,650 $1,700
All others $1,300 $1,350
Taxable income threshold for top 37% income tax bracket
2020 Projected for 2021
Married filing jointly $622,050 $628,300
Head of household $518,400 $523,600
Single $518,400 $523,600
Married filing separately $311,025 $314,150
Long-term capital gain 20% threshold (based on taxable income)
2020 Projected for 2021
Married filing jointly $496,600 $501,600
Head of household $469,050 $473,750
Single $441,450 $445,850
Married filing separately $248,300 $250,800
Alternative minimum tax (AMT)
2020 Projected for 2021
Maximum AMT exemption amount
Married filing jointly $113,400 $114,600
Single/Head of household $72,900 $73,600
Married filing separately $56,700 $57,300
Exemption phaseout threshold
Married filing jointly $1,036,800 $1,047,200
Single/Head of household $518,400 $523,600
Married filing separately $518,400 $523,600
26% on AMTI* up to amount, 28% on AMTI above amount
Married filing separately $98,950 $99,950
All others $197,900 $199,900

*Alternative minimum taxable income

Kiddie tax: Child’s unearned income
2020 Projected for 2021
Above this amount taxed using parents’ tax rates $2,200 $2,200
IRAs
2020 Projected for 2021
Contribution limits
Traditional and Roth IRAs (combined) $6,000 ($7,000 if age 50 or older) $6,000 ($7,000 if age 50 or older)
Roth IRA income phaseout range (contributions)
Single/Head of household $124,000 to $139,000 $125,000 to $140,000
Married filing jointly $196,000 to $206,000 $198,000 to $208,000
Married filing separately $0 to $10,000 $0 to $10,000
Traditional IRA income phaseout range (deductibility)
1. Covered by an employer-sponsored plan and filing as:
Single/Head of household $65,000 to $75,000 $66,000 to $76,000
Married filing jointly $104,000 to $124,000 $105,000 to $125,000
2. Not covered by plan but filing joint return with covered spouse $196,000 to $206,000 $198,000 to $208,000
3. Married filing separately and either spouse is covered by plan $0 to $10,000 $0 to $10,000
Estate planning
2020 Projected for 2021
Top gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax rate 40% 40%
Annual gift tax exclusion $15,000 $15,000
Noncitizen spouse annual gift tax exclusion $157,000 $159,000
Gift tax and estate tax applicable exclusion amount $11,580,0001 + DSUEA2 $11,700,0001 + DSUEA2
GST tax exemption $11,580,000 $11,700,000

1Basic exclusion amount

2Deceased spousal unused exclusion amount

 

Continue reading “Key Numbers Projected for 2021”