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| Pathways Advisory Group, Inc. Dustin J. Smith, CFP® |
As mentioned last February, the misnamed “American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012” (passed January 1st, 2013) provided some much needed answers to the annual tax law uncertainty. Here is what to expect in 2014:
Tax Brackets/Rates: 2014 Income Tax rates remain unchanged (from 2013) but income tax brackets did change with inflation. New brackets for the two most common filing statuses (Single and Married Joint):
Single Taxpayers:
Married Filing Joint:
Qualified Dividend/Capital Gain Tax Rates: Qualified dividend and Capital Gain rates also remain unchanged in 2014: 0% for taxpayers in the lowest two marginal tax brackets (10 or 15%) and 15% for taxpayers in the next four marginal tax brackets (25, 28, 33 or 35%) and 20% for taxpayers in the top (39.6%) marginal tax bracket.
Estate Tax Exemption: The Estate Tax Exemption rises to $5.34 million (from 5.25 million in 2013) in 2014 but the estate tax rate, for amounts exceeding the exemption, remains at 40% in 2014.
Gift Tax: The annual gift tax exemption remains unchanged (from 2013) at $14,000. This is the amount that can be gifted without requiring a gift tax filing. A married couple can double this amount without requiring a gift tax filing.
Social Security Taxes: The amount of earnings subject to Social Security (FICA) tax, otherwise known as the “wage base”, increased from $113,700 in 2013 to $117,000 in 2014. Keep in mind that the FICA tax rate (paid on income up to the wage base) is 6.2% for both the employee and the employer (combined to equal 12.4%, which is 100% paid by self-employed individuals).
Social Security Benefits: Always an exciting announcement (for recipients), the Social Security benefit cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for 2014 is 1.5%. Recipients should have already received a notice about the benefit increase.
Roth IRA Contributions: The maximum contribution remains unchanged at $5,500 (plus an extra $1,000 if you attain age 50 or older during 2014) but the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) limit that disallows contributions increased with inflation to $191,000 for Married Joint taxpayers ($129,000 for Single taxpayers). Click here for the range below these thresholds where eligible Roth IRA contribution amounts are reduced.
Personal Exemptions and Itemized Deductions: Most taxpayers benefit from a Personal Exemption ($3950 in 2014) on their Tax Return. Some taxpayers also benefit from Itemized Deductions (on Schedule A). However, both “deductions” are subject to reductions in 2014 if Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) exceeds $305,050 for Married Taxpayers ($254,200 for Single Taxpayers). The Personal Exemption can actually be completely phased out if AGI exceeds $427,550 ($376,700 for Single Taxpayers). Click here for more explanation. These provisions returned in 2013 after originally expiring in 2010.
Alternative Minimum Tax: Unfortunately, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) system was not repealed by the “American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012”. It was a missed opportunity. But, it was at least permanently indexed for inflation, which should slow the growth of taxpayers subject to AMT.
In addition to the above changes, some ongoing (2014) implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010:
Surtax on Net Investment Income: The Medicare Surtax (created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) on “net investment income” remains in effect in 2014. Unfortunately, the (new in 2013) 3.8% surtax was not indexed for inflation (income thresholds don’t go up with earnings over time), so it will again apply to the portion of “net investment income” exceeding $250,000 of Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for Married Joint Taxpayers ($200,000 for Single Taxpayers). A reminder from last year, ”net Investment income” includes rental income, dividends, interest, capital gains, royalties, passive income and nonqualified annuity payments. But it does NOT include tax exempt “gains” on the sale of a principle residence.
Itemized Medical Deduction Floor: The “Floor” that your Itemized Medical Expenses (also on Schedule A) must exceed to qualify for a deduction, increased from 7.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in 2012, to 10% of AGI in 2013. This made it more difficult to qualify for the deduction and remains an issue in 2014. However, the increased “floor” doesn't take effect until 2017 for taxpayers over age 65.
Medicare Taxes: The Medicare tax rate remains at 1.45% (2.9% for Self Employed) for Married Joint Taxpayers with earned income below $250,000 ($200,000 for Single Taxpayers). For earned income above these thresholds the Medicare tax rate increases to 2.35% (3.8% for Self Employed). Unfortunately, these thresholds were also not indexed for inflation.
Medicare Premium “means” Adjustments: Social Security benefits have been taxed based on “means” for many years but the “means” adjustment to Medicare premiums receives less attention. Because it was frozen (not indexed for inflation) until 2020 (by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), more and more taxpayers (over age 65) find out about the adjustment each year. Taxpayers with Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) under $170,000 ($85,000 for Single Taxpayers) pay the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium of $104.90 (Medicare Part A is free). Taxpayers with MAGI in excess of these thresholds experience rate increases (up to a maximum premium of $335.70/mo when MAGI exceeds $428,000). Keep in mind that one time “spikes” in income only affect Medicare premiums for one year (it’s a two year cycle, 2012 MAGI would affect 2014 Medicare premiums only). For more information click here.
In addition to changes to the Federal Tax rules for 2014, the effects of California Prop 30 (for some taxpayers) remain for seven years. Overall, as you can see, there was very little change from 2013 but not indexing all provisions for inflation is a subtle tax increase each year.
The above explanation is summarized. It is not all inclusive. Please confirm all specifics with your tax professional.
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