IRS Announces New Inflation Adjustments for 2017

shutterstock_388102420-[Converted]

 

While the 2016 tax year is still not quite over, the IRS has already announced some important inflation adjustments for the 2017 tax year, which taxpayers will file for in 2018. While you might be more worried about your upcoming tax return, there are some important changes to know about. However, that being said, with the new president-elect set to take office in January, some, or all of these changes could be changed again, as Donald Trump has already made it clear he wants to rewrite the nation’s tax policy.

In the meantime, the IRS stated that the standard deduction for taxpayers who are married filing jointly will increase by $100 to $12,700. However, the personal exemption for single filers will stay the same as last year at $4,050. The inflation adjustments also increased the top income levels of the tax brackets, but if Trump’s planned changes occur then these brackets would be obsolete, as the president-elect has already stated he wants to drop the current seven bracket system and replace it with just three.

Another tax that would be affected is the estate tax, which currently kicks in on estates with assets that surpass $5.45 million. In 2017 that number increases to $5.49 million. However, Trump has also stated that he would like to completely wipe out the estate tax so this could also be of little consequence by this time next year. Inflation adjustments will also affect the limit above which itemized deductions can be reduced, the maximum amount for earned income credit and the Alternative minimum tax.

http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2016/oct/2017-inflation-adjustments-201615410.html

/GROCO
Posted in

Need Help With Your Bookkeeping?

An important part of any business is the company’s bookkeeping efforts. The type of bookkeeping system you use is really up to you as long as you keeps a detailed record of all your expenses and income. In almost all cases, there are no special requirements for keeping your records. On the other hand, every…

IRS Finally Says Sorry for Seizing Small Businesses Bank Accounts

Small businesses face a tough battle in general, but when they have the IRS breathing down their necks it makes it that much more difficult to find success. Things are even more difficult when the IRS decides seize some of these business’s bank accounts. At least now the tax agency is apologizing for its actions.…

Lawmakers Vote To Make Three Tax Provisions for Businesses Permanent

Late last year lawmakers in Washington extended a bill that made three important tax provisions for businesses valid through December 31, 2014. That means those provisions were good for last year’s taxes, but expired when the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2015. The extension was welcome news last year for many businesses. Now there…

It’s Time for a Tax Scam Refresher Course

Despite repeated warnings from the media and the IRS alike, thousands of people are conned out of money every tax season by scammers. Make sure you’re not one of them. Here is a list of some of the most common scams the IRS sees this time of year. The list is not all-inclusive, as scammers…