What To Know About the Alternative Minimum Tax

The Alternative Minimum Tax is a mandatory alternative to the standard income tax. It’s triggered when taxpayers make more than the exemption and use many common itemized deductions. According to one calculation, it hits 60% of taxpayers making between $200,000 and $500,000.

In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act kept the AMT but raised the exemption and phase-out levels for tax years 2018 through 2025. It includes an automatic cost-of-living adjustment. (Congress eliminated the AMT for corporations.)

AMT payers essentially calculate their income tax twice — under regular tax rules and under the stricter AMT rules — and then pay the higher amount owed.

The AMT runs parallel to the standard tax system, but has a different tax rate structure and eliminates some common tax breaks. Here’s a summary of how the AMT calculation works:

1. Calculate your taxable income, but with fewer tax exclusions and tax deductions as dictated by the AMT rules — IRS Form 6251 has details on which tax breaks get the axe in the AMT calculations.
2. Once you have that AMT version of your taxable income, subtract the AMT exemption amount.
3. Multiply what’s left by the appropriate AMT tax rates. There are two rates: 26% and 28%. Which rate you pay depends on how high your AMT taxable income is.
4. Subtract the AMT foreign tax credit if you qualify for it. What’s left is your income tax under the AMT rules.
5. If your AMT income tax is higher than your basic income tax under regular rates, you pay the higher amount.

If you’re not liable for the AMT this year, but you paid AMT in one or more previous years, you may be eligible to take a special minimum tax credit against your regular tax this year. If eligible, you should complete and attach Form 8801, Credit for Prior Year Minimum Tax — Individuals, Estates, and Trusts, to claim the credit.

Drilling Down for the Details

The law sets the AMT exemption amounts and the AMT tax rates. Taxpayers can use the special capital gain rates in effect for the regular tax if they’re lower than the AMT tax rates that would otherwise apply. In addition, some tax credits that reduce regular tax liability don’t reduce AMT tax liability.

Among the tax breaks you lose under the AMT are deductions for state and local taxes, such as property taxes, as well as various business items.

Investors also can face the AMT: Long-term capital gains and certain dividends could push your income above the ceiling.

However, taxpayers are not powerless. You may be able to stave off the AMT by lowering your adjusted gross income: Max out contributions to a 401(k), IRA or health savings account. Also, manage your long-term capital gains.

Questions? Contact us at 703-218-3600 or click here. To review our personal financial planning articles, click here. To learn more about MCB’s tax practice and our tax experts, click here. 

Subscribe to the MCB Blog and get all new MCB blog posts sent directly to your inbox.

©2021