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Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

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• The preferential rates for net capital gain (0% for taxpayers in the 10% and 15%<br />

brackets; 15% for other taxpayers) continue, but a new 20% rate applies to taxpayers in<br />

the 39.6% bracket.<br />

• The preferential rates for net capital gain continue to be applied to “qualified<br />

dividends,” and this too is now “permanent.”<br />

• Repeal of the marriage penalty in the 10% and 15% brackets continues.<br />

In addition to the permanent changes just itemized, ATRA contains a number of notable<br />

“extenders” and other temporary measures, including these:<br />

* The dollar limitation on the §179 expensing election continues at $500,000 for 2012<br />

and 2013. 3 As in 2011, the $500,000 maximum is not reduced until the total amount of<br />

§179 property purchased and placed in service during the taxable year exceeds $2<br />

million.<br />

* So‐called “50% bonus depreciation” under §168(k) continues through 2013.<br />

* The above‐the‐line deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary<br />

school teachers continues through 2013.<br />

* The above‐the line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses continues<br />

through 2013.<br />

* The American Opportunity Tax Credit (covering up to $2,500 credit for tuition, fees,<br />

and course materials for the first four years of undergraduate education) continues<br />

through 2017.<br />

* The §108(a)(1)(E) exclusion for discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness<br />

continues through 2013.<br />

* The special rule treating mortgage insurance premiums treated as qualified residence<br />

interest continues through 2013.<br />

* The itemized deduction for state and local sales taxes continues through 2013.<br />

* The increased contribution limits for conservation contributions continues through<br />

2013.<br />

3 Special thanks to Congress for reinstating the $500,000 limitation for 2012 on January 1, 2013. Throughout 2012,<br />

taxpayers were led to believe the maximum §179 election amount was $139,000. By the time they learned it was<br />

really $500,000, it was already 2013. As with much in life, in this case ‘twas better to be lucky than good.<br />

3

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