Blog Layout

WHAT DO THE TAX REFORMS MEAN FOR YOU ON YOUR 2018 TAX RETURNS IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK?

Writer • Dec 10, 2018
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law by President Trump at the very end of the year in 2017, with the bill set to take effect on January 1, 2019 and covering tax year 2018. This was the largest re-write of the tax code in more than 30 years, so you can expect there to be quite a few changes in the way you prepare your tax returns in Oklahoma City, OK and the kinds of relief and deductions you can expect to benefit from.

Here are just a few examples of some of the elements of the tax code that will be different this year. Please be sure to consult with a tax professional for a more complete sense of how your personal financial picture may change:
  • 529 college savings plans: Previously, 529 plans were only able to be used for higher education expenses. Under the new rules, they can now be used for private K-12 education, a change expected to be of great benefit for wealthy families.
  • ACA individual mandate: Under the old rule, anyone who did not qualify for an exemption under the Affordable Care Act and chose not to purchase insurance faced potential tax penalties that varied based on income. The individual mandate no longer exists under the new rules. This could lead to increased premium costs as fewer young and healthy people sign up for insurance.
  • Alimony: Under the old rules, alimony payments were deductible for the payer and taxable income for the recipient. This switches under the new rules—now the payments are not deductible, and the recipient does not have to claim the money as taxable income.
  • Alternate minimum tax (AMT): The old exemption amount for the AMT was $84,500 for married couples filing jointly, $54,300 for individuals and $42,250 for married couples filing separately. Now, married couples filing jointly are exempt starting at $109,400, while $70,300 is the limit for other taxpayers.
  • Child tax credits: The previous child tax credits were $1,000 per child under the age of 17, with the credit being reduced by $250 for every $1,000 the taxpayer earns over a certain threshold. The tax credit now doubles to $2,000 per qualifying child, up to $1,400 of which can go toward a tax refund.
  • Corporate tax: Previously, there was a four-tiered graduated rate structure for corporate taxes, with the top rate being 35 percent on taxable income of more than $10 million. The new rule permanently reduces that rate to 21 percent.
  • Estate taxes: Previously, the exemption limit was $5.49 million for estates to be subject to the estate tax (and twice that for couples). The new rule doubles the exemption for the estate tax for estates of up to $11.2 million.
  • Miscellaneous deductions: There are a variety of changes to various other miscellaneous deductions that were commonly taken by tax filers, so be sure to ask your tax preparation specialist for more information.
To learn more about the changes coming under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and how you’ll be affected, contact a professional at Chrisman & Chrisman Financial Services about your tax returns in Oklahoma City, OK.
By Writer 23 Apr, 2019
Recently, you may have decided to find a professional to help you with money management. With a good financial advisor or consultant on your side, you’ll be
By Writer 10 Apr, 2019
If you own or operate a business, there’s almost nothing more important to get right than your company’s payroll. Payroll errors, even seemingly insignificant
By Writer 27 Mar, 2019
It may seem surprising, but the 2018 tax deadline is just around the corner. If you haven’t already filed your income tax return for 2018, you only have until
By Writer 12 Mar, 2019
A financial planner is a professional who advises clients on the best strategies for saving and investing their money to achieve long-term growth and other
By Writer 26 Feb, 2019
Filing your taxes can be quite a pain, especially if you have some unusual elements to your filing process that make it more complex. This is especially true
By Writer 12 Feb, 2019
Tax season is officially here, and it’s important for you to get started quickly so you can get your tax return back as soon as possible. While you might
By Writer 29 Jan, 2019
As you are almost certainly aware by now, there are some major changes to the tax code that came through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that went into effect
By Writer 10 Jan, 2019
Are you familiar with your options for tax preparers in your area? Do you know which tax plan in Oklahoma City, OK will offer you the best solutions for your
By Writer 27 Dec, 2018
Are you using an enrolled agent for your tax preparation in Oklahoma City, OK? If not, you’re missing out on multiple benefits. These professionals can
By Writer 26 Nov, 2018
Did you know that more than 50 percent of all American taxpayers hire a professional to take care of their tax prep needs for them? This makes sense,
More Posts
Share by: