2018 Tax Updates – What you need to know
Well, didn’t January come quickly. Another year passed, and for those who filed early during 2018, we’ve already got our next tax filing on the horizon.
As we bring in the new year, we’re taking a look at the changes which will be affecting most US returns in the coming year.
Whilst the media have widely reported some major changes in tax policy introduced under the presidency of Donald Trump, we’re taking the time to briefly outline some of the lesser known changes.
The source of most changes have come from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was passed by Congress on 22nd December 2017. This act applied many temporary updates to varying tax thresholds, tax rates, exemptions and credits. Most changes were to begin from 1st January 2018, and then to revert back to prior legislation on 31st December 2025.
We’ll begin with:
Tax Rates
The new tax rates are: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and a top rate of 37%. For tax year 2018, the highest tax rate will apply to married individuals filing jointly and surviving spouses with taxable incomes over $600,000, to single taxpayers and heads of households with incomes over $500,000, and to married taxpayers filing separately with incomes over $300,000.
The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and does not apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
This is a reduction which may help to reduce the tax burden for high earners in New Zealand or Australia, whereby their foreign tax credit (local tax paid) is insufficient to offset the US tax liability. Many will now have reduced tax liabilities as a result of these changes.
Standard Deduction & Personal Exemption
As a result of these changes, the personal exemption (previously $4050.00) has been temporarily reduced to zero. Meaning, we’re no longer able to claim this exemption (which reduced your taxable income) from the 2018 return onwards (to 2025).
However, on the plus side, the standard deduction amount (the amount we can exclude from income, for those who don’t itemise their deductions) has almost doubled. This now stands at $12,000 for single individuals, with greater amounts for Head of Household, and Married Filing Jointly filers.
Moving Expenses
Previously, an above-the-line deduction was available for moving expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year in connection with the commencement of work by the taxpayer as an employee or as a self-employed individual at a new principal place of work. These were subject to certain conditions.
The TCJA suspends the deduction for moving expenses for taxable years 2018 to 2025. In addition the TCJA repeals the exclusion of qualified moving expense reimbursements from gross income and wages for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. All moving expenses paid or reimbursed beginning in the 2018 tax year will be taxable to the employee and subject to tax withholding.
For taxpayers in Australia or New Zealand, this may result in tax liabilities from reimbursed moving expenses.
Entertainment Expenses
One change which is unlikely to affect a great deal of NZ or Australian based taxpayers, is the removal of deductions for business entertainment expenses. These are considered to be:
- An activity generally considered to be entertainment, amusement or recreation,
- Membership dues with respect to any club organized for business, pleasure, recreation or other social purposes, or
- A facility or portion thereof used in connection with any of the above items.
The TCJA repeals the deduction for entertainment, amusement, or recreation that is directly related to (or, incertain cases, associated with) the active conduct of the taxpayer’s trade or business.
Meal deductions still exist, up to 50% of the cost.
Alimony
Payments of alimony and separate maintenance during 2018 are deductible by the payor spouse and includible in income by the recipient spouse.
However, this changes now change for any divorce (or legal separation) executed after 31st December 2017 (including modifying a prior instrument).
Going forward, alimony and separate maintenance payments are not deductible by the payor spouse. In addition code provisions that specify that alimony and separate maintenance payments are included in income are repealed. This means that payments of alimony are now treated essentially the same as child support.
Home Mortgage Interest
The TCJA suspends the deduction for interest on home equity indebtedness. Thus, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, a taxpayer may not claim a deduction for mortgage interest. The suspension ends for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
It is important to note however, that in some cases, home mortgage interest is still deductible, but through a deduction for home acquisition interest.
In addition, changes have been made on the value of mortgages which may qualify for home acquisition interest. in 2018, taxpayers may only deduct interest on $750,000 of qualified residence loans. These amounts vary depending on your filing status (ie single, head of household
The limits apply to the combined amount of loans used to buy, build or substantially
improve the taxpayer’s main home and second home.
Generally, personal interest is not deductible. However, qualified residence interest is not treated as personal interest and is allowed as an itemized deduction, subject to limitations.
Enhanced Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit has temporarily increase to $2,000 per qualifying child.
As part of this change, the maximum amount refundable may not exceed $1,400 per qualifying child. Additionally, the provision provides that, in order to receive the child tax credit, a taxpayer must include a Social Security number for each qualifying child for whom the credit is claimed on the tax return. It is important to note that the social security number must be applied for before the period in which the credit is to be claimed.
In addition
Further changes were made to:
- IRA/ROTH IRA contributions, contributions, recharacterization
- Section 179 Expense Limits
- Bonus Depreciation
- Medical Expense deductions
- State Tax deductions
- Casualty loss deductions
This is just a small inexhaustive list of the changes made. It is important that your tax practitioner understands, and has the means to implement these changes on your upcoming 2018 return. If you need assistance, call us on +64 9 373 2949, or +61 2 9211 7130.