When completing your 2018 tax return, turn some attention to your tax plans for 2019. Although tax reform triggered major changes in 2018, the landscape has settled in 2019. Tax rules in 2019 will look very similar to 2018. Once your 2018 taxes are done and you have determined how the new rules affect your personal tax situation, get a jump-start on trimming your 2019 tax tab. Learn how about trimming your 2019 tax tab by reading below.
Adjust for Inflation
The IRS now uses the chained consumer price index (rather than the traditional consumer price index) to calculate inflation adjustments for various income thresholds and limits. Chained CPI accounts for the fact that consumers change their spending patterns as prices rise, making inflation appear lower. Although inflation adjustments will be smaller, you’ll still find increases across the board. (See the 2019 tax brackets.)
Reminder: The standard deduction rises to $12,200 for single filers and $24,400 for married couples filing jointly. The extra standard deduction for those age 65 and older is $1,300 per person for joint filers and $1,650 for single filers. If you were on the edge of taking the standard deduction for 2018, consider whether those higher amounts may close the door on itemizing in 2019.
The income threshold for the 0% capital-gains rate also rises to $39,375 of taxable income for single filers and $78,750 for joint filers.
Plan Charitable Giving
Determining whether or not you itemize could help you decide on other tax moves, especially charitable giving. Itemizers can deduct charitable contributions, but non-itemizers, and even some itemizers, may want to consider a different approach: an IRA qualified charitable distribution. Traditional IRA owners age 70½ or older can directly transfer up to $100,000 a year from their IRA to charity. You don’t get a charitable deduction by doing this, but the money is excluded from your adjusted gross income and can count toward your IRA required minimum distribution.
To have a QCD do double duty as your RMD, make sure to do the QCD before taking out the full RMD amount. For example, let’s say your total RMD is $15,000. You can transfer $5,000 directly to charity and take $10,000 out of the IRA by year-end. That satisfies your RMD but only $10,000 will be taxable and included in your AGI. Of course, you can also do QCDs (up to the $100,000 annual limit) in excess of your RMD amount.
Review Health Care Expenses
New for 2019: The penalty for not having health insurance is zeroed out. If you go without coverage, there is no longer a cost at tax time.
The threshold for deducting medical expenses has climbed for 2019. Taxpayers can now only deduct medical expenses that exceed 10% of AGI.
Adjust Withholding
Look at how your 2018 withholding stacked up against your actual 2018 tax tab. If you got a big refund and expect your tax situation to be similar in 2019, adjust withholding so you hold onto more money throughout the year. If you didn’t withhold enough, increase withholding in 2019. You can have money withheld from various retirement income sources, such as IRA distributions, annuity payments, and Social Security benefits.
Pay Estimated Tax
You can also make estimated quarterly payments to cover your 2019 tab. Paying estimated taxes can be a pain but not paying estimated taxes is even worse because you may face tax penalties. One way to avoid underpayment penalties is to pay at least 100% of last year’s tax bill (or 110% for higher-income taxpayers) through withholding, estimated tax payments, or both. The first estimated tax payment for 2019 is due Monday, April 15.
Source: Kiplinger.com
