Tax Tips

Getting Ready for the 2022 Tax Filing Season

 

Filing your tax return promises to be just as complicated as always – especially if you received stimulus payments or advance child tax credit payments. However, there are steps that taxpayers can take right now to make sure their tax filing experience goes smoothly in 2022. Let’s take a look at four things taxpayers can do now to get ready for tax season:

Gather and Organize Tax Records

Organized tax records make preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier. They help avoid errors that lead to processing delays that slow refunds. Having all needed documents on hand before taxpayers prepare their return helps them file it completely and accurately. Important tax records you need to file a return include:

  • Forms W-2 from employers
  • Forms 1099 from banks, issuing agencies, and other payers, including unemployment compensation, dividends, distributions from a pension, annuity, or retirement plan
  • Form 1099-K, 1099-MISC, W-2, or other income statements for workers in the gig economy
  • Form 1099-INT for interest received
  • Other income documents and records of virtual currency transactions

Taxpayers should also gather any documents from these types of earnings. People should keep copies of tax returns and all supporting documents for at least three years.

These types of Income documents help taxpayers determine if they’re eligible for deductions or credits. For example, people who need to reconcile their advance payments of the child tax credit and premium tax credit will need their related 2021 information. Those who did not receive their full third Economic Impact Payments will need their third payment amounts to figure and claim the 2021 recovery rebate credit.

Taxpayers should also keep end of year documents such as:

  • Letter 6419, 2021 Total Advance Child Tax Credit Payments, to reconcile advance child tax credit payments
  • Letter 6475, Your 2021 Economic Impact Payment, to determine eligibility to claim the recovery rebate credit
  • Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, to reconcile advance premium tax credits for Marketplace coverage

Confirm Mailing and Email Addresses and Report Name Changes

To make sure forms make it to taxpayers on time, they should confirm now that each employer, bank, and other payer has their current mailing address or email address. People can report address changes by completing Form 8822, Change of Address and sending it to the IRS. Taxpayers should also notify the postal service to forward their mail online at USPS.com or their local post office. They should also notify the Social Security Administration of a legal name change.

View Account Information Online

Individuals who have not set up an Online Account yet should do so soon. People who have already set up an Online Account should make sure they can still log in successfully. Taxpayers can use Online Account to securely access the latest available information about their federal tax account.

Review Proper Tax Withholding and Make Adjustments if Needed

Taxpayers may want to consider adjusting their withholding if they find they owe taxes or receive a large refund in 2021. Changing withholding can help avoid a tax bill or let individuals keep more money each payday. Life changes – getting married or divorced, welcoming a child, or taking on a second job – may also be reasons to change withholding. Taxpayers might think about completing a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, each year and when personal or financial situations change.

People also need to consider estimated tax payments. Individuals who receive a substantial amount of non-wage income like self-employment income, investment income, taxable Social Security benefits, and in some instances, pension and annuity income should make quarterly estimated tax payments. The last payment for 2021 is due on January 18, 2022.

Tax Season is Right Around the Corner

Filing taxes is inevitable for most people, and with tax law becoming more complex with every passing year, there’s no better time to get ready than right now. Call today and find out how a professional tax preparer can help.

 

Important Tax Changes for Individuals and Businesses

 

Every year, it’s a sure bet that there will be changes to current tax law, and this year is no different. From standard deductions to health savings accounts and tax rate schedules, here’s a checklist of tax changes to help you plan the year ahead.

Individuals

In 2022, a number of tax provisions are affected by inflation adjustments, including Health Savings Accounts, retirement contribution limits, and the foreign earned income exclusion. The tax rate structure, which ranges from 10 to 37 percent, remains similar to 2021; however, the tax-bracket thresholds increase for each filing status. Standard deductions also rise, and as a reminder, personal exemptions have been eliminated through tax year 2025.

Standard Deduction
In 2022, the standard deduction increases to $12,950 for individuals (up from $12,550 in 2021) and to $25,900 for married couples (up from $25,100 in 2021).

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
In 2022, AMT exemption amounts increase to $75,900 for individuals (up from $73,600 in 2021) and $118,100 for married couples filing jointly (up from $114,600 in 2021). Also, the phaseout threshold increases to $539,900 ($1,079,800 for married filing jointly). Both the exemption and threshold amounts are indexed annually for inflation.

“Kiddie Tax”
For taxable years beginning in 2022, the amount that can be used to reduce the net unearned income reported on the child’s return that is subject to the “kiddie tax” is $1,150. The same $1,150 amount is used to determine whether a parent may elect to include a child’s gross income in the parent’s gross income and to calculate the “kiddie tax.” For example, one of the requirements for the parental election is that a child’s gross income for 2022 must be more than $1,150 but less than $11,500.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are used to pay the account owner’s current or future medical expenses, their spouse, and any qualified dependent. Medical expenses must not be reimbursable by insurance or other sources and do not qualify for the medical expense deduction on a federal income tax return.

A qualified individual must be covered by a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and not be covered by other health insurance with the exception of insurance for accidents, disability, dental care, vision care, or long-term care.

For calendar year 2022, a qualifying HDHP must have a deductible of at least $1,400 for self-only coverage or $2,800 for family coverage and must limit annual out-of-pocket expenses of the beneficiary to $7,050 for self-only coverage and $14,100 for family coverage.

AGI Limit for Deductible Medical Expenses

In 2022, the deduction threshold for deductible medical expenses is 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI), made permanent by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

Eligible Long-Term Care Premiums
Premiums for long-term care are treated the same as health care premiums and are deductible on your taxes subject to certain limitations. For individuals age 40 or younger at the end of 2022, the limitation is $450. Persons more than 40 but not more than 50 can deduct $880. Those more than 50 but not more than 60 can deduct $1,690, while individuals more than 60 but not more than 70 can deduct $4,510. The maximum deduction is $5,640 and applies to anyone more than 70 years of age.

Medicare Taxes
The additional 0.9 percent Medicare tax on wages above $200,000 for individuals ($250,000 married filing jointly) remains in effect for 2022, as does the Medicare tax of 3.8 percent on investment (unearned) income for single taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) more than $200,000 ($250,000 joint filers). Investment income includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties, gains from the disposition of property, and certain passive activity income. Estates, trusts, and self-employed individuals are all liable for the tax.

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
For 2022, the foreign earned income exclusion amount is $112,000 up from $108,700 in 2021.

Long-Term Capital Gains and Dividends
In 2022, tax rates on capital gains and dividends remain the same as 2021 rates (0%, 15%, and a top rate of 20%); however, threshold amounts have increased: the maximum zero percent rate amounts are $41,675 for individuals and $83,350 for married filing jointly. For an individual taxpayer whose income is at or above $459,750 ($517,200 married filing jointly), the rate for both capital gains and dividends is capped at 20 percent. All other taxpayers fall into the 15 percent rate amount (i.e., above $41,675 and below $459,750 for single filers).

Estate and Gift Taxes
For an estate of any decedent during calendar year 2022, the basic exclusion amount is $12.06 million, indexed for inflation (up from $11.70 million in 2021). The maximum tax rate remains at 40 percent. The annual exclusion for gifts increases to $16,000.

Individuals – Tax Credits

Adoption Credit
In 2022, a nonrefundable (only those individuals with tax liability will benefit) credit of up to $14,890 is available for qualified adoption expenses for each eligible child.

Earned Income Tax Credit
For tax year 2022, the maximum Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low, and moderate-income workers and working families increases to $6,935 (up from $6,728 in 2021). The credit varies by family size, filing status, and other factors, with the maximum credit going to joint filers with three or more qualifying children.

Child Tax Credit
For 2022, the child tax credit reverts to $2,000 per child, age 17 or younger. The refundable portion of the credit is $1,500 in 2022, so that even if taxpayers do not owe any tax, they can still claim the credit. A $500 nonrefundable credit is also available for dependents who do not qualify for the Child Tax Credit (e.g., dependents age 17 and older).

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
If you pay someone to take care of your dependent (defined as being under the age of 13 at the end of the tax year or incapable of self-care) to work or look for work, you may qualify for a credit of up to $1,050 or 35 percent of $3,000 of eligible expenses in 2022. For two or more qualifying dependents, you can claim up to 35 percent of $6,000 (or $2,100) of eligible expenses. For higher-income earners, the credit percentage is reduced, but not below 20 percent, regardless of the amount of adjusted gross income. This tax credit is nonrefundable.

Individuals – Education

American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit
The maximum credit is $2,500 per student for the American Opportunity Tax Credit. The Lifetime Learning Credit remains at $2,000 per return. To claim the full credit for either, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be $80,000 or less ($160,000 or less for married filing jointly).

While the phaseout limits for Lifetime Learning Credit increased, taxpayers should note that the qualified tuition and expenses deduction was repealed starting in 2021.

Interest on Educational Loans
In 2022, the maximum deduction for interest paid on student loans is $2,500. The deduction begins to be phased out for higher-income taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of more than $70,000 ($140,000 for joint filers) and is completely eliminated for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $85,000 ($170,000 joint filers).

Individuals – Retirement

Contribution Limits
The elective deferral (contribution) limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan increases to $20,500. Contribution limits for SIMPLE plans also increase to $14,000. The maximum compensation used to determine contributions increases to $305,000 (up from $290,000 in 2021).

Income Phase-out Ranges
The deduction for taxpayers making contributions to a traditional IRA is phased out for singles and heads of household who are covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan and have modified AGI between $68,000 and $78,000.

For married couples filing jointly, in which the spouse who makes the IRA contribution is covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, the phase-out range increases to $109,000 and $129,000. For an IRA contributor who is not covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan and is married to someone who is covered, the deduction is phased out if the couple’s modified AGI is between $204,000 and $214,000.

The modified AGI phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to a Roth IRA is $129,000 to $144,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $125,000 to $140,000. For married couples filing jointly, the income phase-out range is $204,000 to $214,000, up from $198,000 to $208,000. The phase-out range for a married individual filing a separate return who makes contributions to a Roth IRA is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.

Saver’s Credit
In 2022, the AGI limit for the Saver’s Credit (also known as the Retirement Savings Contribution Credit) for low and moderate-income workers is $68,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $66,000 in 2021; $51,000 for heads of household, up from $49,500 in 2021; and $34,000 for singles and married individuals filing separately, up from $33,000 in 2021.

Businesses

Standard Mileage Rates
In 2022, the rate for business miles driven is 58.5 cents per mile, up 2.5 cents from the rate for 2021.

Section 179 Expensing
In 2022, the Section 179 expense deduction increases to a maximum deduction of $1,080,000 of the first $2,700,000 of qualifying equipment placed in service during the current tax year. This amount is indexed to inflation for tax years after 2018. The deduction was enhanced under the TCJA to include improvements to nonresidential qualified real property such as roofs, fire protection, and alarm systems and security systems, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Also, of note is that costs associated with the purchase of any sport utility vehicle, treated as a Section 179 expense, cannot exceed $27,000.

Bonus Depreciation
Businesses are allowed to immediately deduct 100% of the cost of eligible property placed in service after September 27, 2017, and before January 1, 2023, after which it will be phased downward over a four-year period: 80% in 2023, 60% in 2024, 40% in 2025, 20% in 2026, and 0% in 2027 and years beyond.

Qualified Business Income Deduction
Eligible taxpayers are able to deduct up to 20 percent of certain business income from qualified domestic businesses, as well as certain dividends. To qualify for the deduction business income must not exceed a certain dollar amount. In 2022, these threshold amounts are $170,050 for single and head of household filers and $340,100 for married taxpayers filing joint returns.

Research & Development Tax Credit
Starting in 2018, businesses with less than $50 million in gross receipts can use this credit to offset alternative minimum tax. Certain start-up businesses that might not have any income tax liability will be able to offset payroll taxes with the credit as well.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
Extended through 2025 (The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021), the Work Opportunity Tax Credit is available for employers who hire long-term unemployed individuals (unemployed for 27 weeks or more) and is generally equal to 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages paid to a new hire.

Employee Health Insurance Expenses
For taxable years beginning in 2022, the dollar amount of average wages is $28,700 ($27,800 in 2021). This amount is used for limiting the small employer health insurance credit and for determining who is an eligible small employer for purposes of the credit.

Business Meals and Entertainment Expenses
Taxpayers who incur food and beverage expenses associated with operating a trade or business are able to deduct 100 percent (50 percent for tax years 2018-2020) of these expenses for tax years 2021 and 2022 (The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021) as long as the meal is provided by a restaurant.

Employer-provided Transportation Fringe Benefits
If you provide transportation fringe benefits to your employees in 2022, the maximum monthly limitation for transportation in a commuter highway vehicle as well as any transit pass is $280. The monthly limitation for qualified parking is $280.

While this checklist outlines important tax changes for 2022, additional changes in tax law are likely to arise during the year ahead. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions or want to get a head start on tax planning for the year ahead.

Standard Mileage Rates for 2022

Starting January 1, 2022, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup, or panel truck are as follows:

  • 58.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 2.5 cents from the rate for 2021
  • 18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces, up 2 cents from the rate for 2021, and
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations. The charitable rate is set by statute and remains unchanged.

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile, including depreciation, insurance, repairs, tires, maintenance, gas, and oil. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs, such as gas and oil. The charitable rate is set by law.

Taxpayers always have the option of claiming deductions based on the actual costs of using a vehicle rather than the standard mileage rates.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, taxpayers cannot claim a miscellaneous itemized deduction for unreimbursed employee travel expenses. Taxpayers also cannot claim a deduction for moving expenses, unless they are members of the Armed Forces on active duty moving under orders to a permanent change of station.

Taxpayers can use the standard mileage rate but must opt to use it in the first year the car is available for business use. Then, in later years, they can choose either the standard mileage rate or actual expenses.

Leased vehicles. Leased vehicles must use the standard mileage rate method for the entire lease period (including renewals) if the standard mileage rate is chosen.

If you have any questions about standard mileage rates or which driving activities you should keep track of as the new tax year begins, do not hesitate to contact the office.

Give us a call us if you need more information.

For your no cost no obligation appointment call us today at 973-546-2050.