THE 2017 TAX ACTS IMPLICATIONS IN 2020

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in 2017 Federal Income Tax plan,2017 TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT,charitable contributions,federal income tax,itemized deduction,tax planning

The 2017 Tax Act made significant changes to itemized deduction planning. The two (2) biggest changes for 2020 involved: 1. Much higher standard deduction (adjusted for inflation annually).For 2020: $24,800 for married couples filing jointly (plus $1,300 for each spouse attaining age 65: max $27,400)), $12,400 for unmarried individuals/married filing separately (plus $1,650 if attaining age 65 ($1,300 if married filing separately: max $14,050 if single (max $13,700 if married filing separately)), and $18,650 for head of household (plus $1,650 if attaining age 65: max $20,300). 2. The Itemized Deduction computation now has an important and costly limitation. State and local taxes that are deductible in a year are limited to $10,000 (not adjusted for inflation) ($5,000 if married filing separately). These state and local taxes (“SALT”) are primarily property taxes, state income taxes (so could time property tax and estimated state income tax payments if total annual SALT fluctuates above and below $10,000, maybe because of buying or selling a home), and, for some states (such as Arizona), vehicle license tags tax portion. Itemized deductions for most taxpayers (who still can benefit from itemizing) often consist primarily of mortgage interest (but for new mortgages, limited to interest on $750,000 of the principal balance of primary residence only; $375,000 if married filing separately), charitable contributions and $10,000 of state and local tax. So many have a greater standard deduction, and will no longer itemize. Bunching of charitable contributions and large uninsured medical expenses (to the extent they would exceed 10% of adjusted gross income into one year could yield a benefit if that would push itemized deductions over the standard deduction for a year. Changing the date of a mortgage payment at year-end could move another month’s interest into a “bunching year.” With the standard deduction at a new high (in 2020 as high as $27,500), the itemized deduction may offer no benefit when it had in the past. Also for many more potential or actual homeowners who now don’t itemize, there is no tax subsidy in homeownership. For many others who do, property taxes may now not be subsidized in whole or in part. Old rules scheduled to return: But don’t completely forget the old rules. In 2026 the standard deduction rules will revert to what they were before the 2017 Tax Act. For example, among other things, the standard deduction for married couples could be around $14,500 (estimated for inflation adjustments), and itemized deductions will have no SALT limitation and will include miscellaneous itemized deductions and phaseouts of deductions for higher-income taxpayers nixed by the 2017 Tax Act.

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POTENTIAL CHANGES FOR NONSPOUSE DESIGNATED IRA AND RETIREMENT PLAN BENEFICIARIES ON THE HORIZON

♠ Posted by Marc J. Soss in estate planning,federal estate taxes,IRA beneficiary,retirement plan,retirement plan planning,SECURE ACT 2019,stretch IRA,Wealth Transfer

Important legislation is working its way through Congress. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (“SECURE Act”) as passed by the House of Representatives on May 23, 2019, and would impact how and when an IRA or retirement account beneficiary would be forced to receive distributions from an inherited account. The biggest change under the SECURE Act would be the replacement of the 5-year distribution rule for inherited IRAs with a 10-year rule. It would also eliminate “stretch IRAs.” If signed into law, the Act would impact plan participants and IRA owners who die after January 1, 2020, with limited exceptions. Under current tax law contributions to an IRA and retirement plan are not taxed until distributed after retirement (distribution must begin not later than age 70.5). Until distribution the investments grow tax free and create an incentive for a retiree to withdraw from their IRAs as a last resort to avoid taxation, loss of tax shelter, and potential method to pass an inheritance on to beneficiaries. Under the SECURE Act, all IRA and retirement plan distributions would need to be completed within a ten (10) year period beginning in the year following the year the participant or IRA owner died. The ten (10) year period would replace the current five (5) year default period and would apply regardless of whether the plan participant or IRA owner died before or after reaching their required minimum distribution date (RMD). The change would apply to distributions to a non-spouse beneficiary from retirement plans and IRAs (including Roth IRAs) made after the death of the plan participant or IRA owner who dies after December 31, 2019. Limited exceptions apply for: (i) a new class of individuals called “eligible designated beneficiaries” (surviving spouse, minor child, disabled individual or individual that is not more than 10 years younger than the deceased participant); (ii) collectively bargained plans; (iii) certain governmental plans; and (iv) existing annuity contracts. The minor child exception will cease once the minor child reaches the age of majority. Thereafter, the remainder of the distributions to that individual must be completed within ten (10) years after that date. A “disabled individual” includes an individual unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. The determination as to the existence of an eligible designated beneficiary will be made upon the death of the plan participant or IRA owner. For most inherited IRA beneficiaries, the 10-year rule will provide far more flexibility for timing distributions than the existing 5-year rule. However, those desiring to utilize their retirement account as a wealth transfer vehicle could be adversely impacted.

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