How the Proposed Tax Framework Would Affect You
On September 27th, 2017, the President, along with House and Senate Republicans, released their framework for tax reform. The proposal aims to lower taxes, simply the federal tax code, and create a more competitive business environment. It’s important to note that the nine-page document provides only a broad outline, leaving many of the details to be determined by Congress when writing the potential bill. Here is what we’ve learned so far that we think could impact our clients:
Fewer Tax Brackets
Ordinary income is currently taxed at seven different tax brackets, ranging from 10% to 39.6%. Under the proposed framework, there would be only three—12%, 25%, and 35%. In addition, the framework allows for the possibility of a fourth tax rate that would apply to the highest-income taxpayers. It’s unclear whether this would be a fourth bracket like the current 39.6% rate or might instead resemble something like the Buffet Rule. While the details will have to be worked out by the tax-writing committees in Congress, the stated intention is for the tax system to maintain its progressive nature and not shift the burden from the wealthy to low- and middle-income households. Our initial thought is that while fewer tax brackets give the impression of simplicity, the number of tax brackets isn’t what makes our current tax code so onerous. In fact, having only three brackets means the transition between brackets would be less gradual, which would make hitting the next bracket potentially more painful! Until we know where the cut-offs for each bracket would be and what the potential “fourth-rate” looks like, it’s difficult to evaluate how this would impact specific taxpayers, so nothing to get to excited about yet.
Reduced Top Tax Rate for Small Business
Sole proprietors, partnerships, and S corporations would see business income taxed at a maximum rate of 25%. This is notably lower than the proposed 35% top tax bracket for normal wages, so the framework also discusses the need for measures to prevent wealthy taxpayers from inappropriately recharacterizing personal income into business income in order to take advantage of lower rates. This is potentially exciting news for small businesses, family-owned operations, and entrepreneurs; however until further details emerge regarding what would be classified as personal income versus business income (some have speculated that service professions could be excluded), it’s unclear whether all small business owners would benefit.
Doubling of the Standard Deduction
The standard deduction would roughly double to $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for single individuals. This is good news for many low to mid-income taxpayers as it creates an effective 0% tax bracket on the first $24,000 of income for married couples. For many, if not most, this would more than offset the increase in the lowest bracket from 10% to 12%. It also means that many taxpayers who currently itemize deductions would instead use the new higher standard deduction, simplifying their tax preparation and record-keeping responsibilities.
Elimination of Most Itemized Deductions
Most itemized deductions would be eliminated, other than mortgage interest and charitable deductions. Therefore, unless one’s annual mortgage interest plus charitable gifts exceed $24,000, a married couple would be better off with the new higher standard deduction. This would mean more taxpayers would take the standard deduction, and therefore simplify the preparation and record-keeping. Perhaps the most significant deduction that would likely be eliminated is itemizing state and local taxes (e.g. state income tax and property taxes). This would most negatively impact those with high incomes living in states with high income taxes, such as California and New York, along with those who own expensive personal real estate.
Expanded Family Tax Credits
Personal exemptions for dependents would be replaced with an increased Child Tax Credit. The amount and details of the New Child Tax Credit were not specified, but would be higher than the current credit of $1,000 with higher income limits on the phaseout. In addition, there would be a new $500 credit for non-child dependents (e.g. aging parents).
Retention of Tax Benefits that Encourage Work, Higher Education, and Retirement Security
While details were not provided, it likely means keeping the earned income tax credit (for low- to moderate-income workers), the American opportunity tax credit (for college expenses), and tax deductions for contributions to retirement plans (such as 401k plans and IRAs).
Repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
The AMT is a supplemental income tax system that was initially designed to ensure high-income taxpayers weren't able to reduce their effective tax rate “too much” by taking advantage of all the deductions and incentives available under the standard tax system. Under the new proposal where most of these deductions would be eliminated, the AMT arguably becomes unnecessary. Given that the AMT is considered one of the most complex areas of the tax code, this would certainly simplify tax planning and preparation.
Elimination of the Estate and Generation-Skipping Taxes (but likely only for 10 years!)
We currently have an estate and gift tax exemption of $5.49 Million per individual. Estates larger than this are taxed at a rate of up to 40%. Under the proposed framework the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax would disappear. The gift tax (for transfers during one’s life) was not mentioned in the framework so it’s unclear whether it would remain intact or disappear also. However, assuming that the resulting tax bill is unable to receive 60 votes in the Senate and is passed through budget reconciliation instead (requiring only 51 vote, thus subject to the Byrd Rule), it’s likely to come back within 10 years. As a result, unless one is nearly certain they will die within that time frame, wealthy families should likely continue to plan as though there will be an estate tax.
How Should You Plan in the Interim?
Until the details are hammered out and we actually have a bill to review, it’s difficult to assess the impact the proposed changes would have on any specific taxpayer and thus what actions should be taken to minimize one’s tax liabilities. Until we have greater clarity, the almost timeless strategy of deferring income and accelerating deductions likely continues to make sense. For example, it's likely better to pay property taxes at the end of 2017 rather than the beginning of 2018, as they may not be an eligible deduction by then.
Special note for taxpayers who exercised Incentive Stock Options (ISO) - If you exercised ISOs in a prior year and paid AMT as a result, you likely have an AMT credit that you expected to get back when you eventually sell the shares. If the AMT is eliminated, as proposed in the released framework, it’s unclear how your AMT credit would be treated and there is a chance it could become worthless, significantly increasing your expected tax liability. Depending on the magnitude of this risk to your specific situation, you may want to consider selling enough shares before the end of 2017 to claim as much of the AMT credit as possible. Hopefully, we’ll get more clarity on this issue as we approach the end of the year, but we recommend looking at the scenario now so that you can move quickly toward the end of the year if necessary. If you still work for the company and are subject to black-out periods this is even more important as your opportunities to sell are already limited.