Tax Projection Worksheet tax rates and inflation-adjusted amounts (1040)

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The standard deduction, exemption amount, and individual tax rate brackets are adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. The following IRS-released adjustments are used by the Tax Projection Worksheet.

2020 tax rate tables

Table 1 - Married individuals filing joint returns and surviving spouses

If taxable income is over- But not over- Tax is- Plus Of the amount over-
$0.00 $19,750.00 $0.00 10.00% $0.00
$19,750.00 $80,250.00 $1,975.00 12.00% $19,750.00
$80,250.00 $171,050.00 $9,235.00 22.00% $80,250.00
$171,050.00 $326,600.00 $29,211.00 24.00% $171,050.00
$326,600.00 $414,700.00 $66,543.00 32.00% $326,600.00
$414,700.00 $622,050.00 $94,735.00 35.00% $414,700.00
$622,050.00 $167,307.50 37.00% $622,050.00

Table 2 - Heads of household

If taxable income is over- But not over- Tax is- Plus Of the amount over-
$0.00 $14,100.00 $0.00 10.00% $0.00
$14,100.00 $53,700.00 $1,410.00 12.00% $14,100.00
$53,700.00 $85,500.00 $6,162.00 22.00% $53,700.00
$85,500.00 $163,300.00 $13,158.00 24.00% $85,500.00
$163,300.00 $207,350.00 $31,830.00 32.00% $163,300.00
$207,350.00 $518,400.00 $45,926.00 35.00% $207,350.00
$518,400.00 $154,793.00 37.00% $518,400.00

Table 3 - Unmarried individuals other than surviving spouses and heads of household

If taxable income is over- But not over- Tax is- Plus Of the amount over-
$0.00 $9,875.00 $0.00 10.00% $0.00
$9,875.00 $40,125.00 $987.50 12.00% $9,875.00
$40,125.00 $85,525.00 $4,617.50 22.00% $40,125.00
$85,525.00 $163,300.00 $14,605.50 24.00% $85,525.00
$163,300.00 $207,350.00 $33,271.50 32.00% $163,300.00
$207,350.00 $518,400.00 $47,367.50 35.00% $207,350.00
$518,400.00 $156,235.50 37.00% $518,400.00

Table 4 - Married individuals filing separate returns

If taxable income is over- But not over- Tax is- Plus Of the amount over-
$0.00 $9,875.00 $0.00 10.00% $0.00
$9,875.00 $40,125.00 $987.50 12.00% $9,875.00
$40,125.00 $85,525.00 $4,617.50 22.00% $40,125.00
$85,525.00 $163,300.00 $14,605.50 24.00% $85,525.00
$163,300.00 $207,350.00 $33,271.50 32.00% $163,300.00
$207,350.00 $311,025.00 $47,367.50 35.00% $207,350.00
$311,025.00 $83,653.75 37.00% $311,025.00

Maximum Capital Gains Rates - Zero Rate

Filing Status Maximum Amount
Single and Married filing separately $40,000.00
Married filing jointly and surviving spouses $80,000.00
Head of Household $53,600.00

Maximum Capital Gains Rates - 15 Percent Rate

Filing Status Maximum Amount
Single $441,450.00
Married filing jointly and surviving spouses $496,600.00
Married filing separately $248,300.00
Head of Household $441,450.00

Child tax credit

Per the American Rescue Plan Act, the child tax credit is fully refundable for 2021 (only) provided the child tax credit is not limited by the modified adjusted gross income thresholds.

Earned income credit

For 2020, the following values are used to project the earned income credit.

Item None One child Two children Three+ children
Earned Income Amount $7,030.00 $10,540.00 $14,800.00 $14,800.00
Max Credit $538.00 $3,584.00 $5,920.00 $6,660.00
Threshold Phaseout $8,790.00 $19,330.00 $19,330.00 $19,330.00
Completed Phaseout $15,820.00 $41,756.00 $47,440.00 $50,954.00
MFJ Threshold Phaseout $14,680.00 $25,220.00 $25,220.00 $25,220.00
MFJ Completed Phaseout $21,710.00 $47,646.00 $53,330.00 $56,884.00

Educator expenses

The 2020 maximum above-the-line educator expense deduction remains at $250.

IRA contribution

For 2020, the maximum allowed IRA contribution is $6,000 for taxpayers under age 50, and $7,000 for taxpayers age 50 and older.

Standard deduction

Filing status Deduction
Married filing jointly and surviving spouses $24,800
Head of household $18,650
Unmarried individuals (other than surviving spouses and heads of household) $12,400
Married filing separately $12,400

Aged and blind

For 2020, the additional standard deduction for the aged and blind is $1,300.00. If the individual is unmarried and not a surviving spouse, the amount is $1,650.00.

State and local tax deduction limited

For tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026, the itemized deduction for state and local tax is limited to $10,000 ($5,000 for married filing separately). 

Itemized deduction limitation phaseout

For tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, the "Pease limitation" on itemized deductions is suspended.

Personal exemption

The personal exemption amount for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026, is reduced to zero.

Social Security Taxes

The maximum wage base for 2020 is $137,700. Self-employed individuals are subject to 12.4 percent on self-employment income up to the threshold.

AMT exemption

Filing status Exemption
Single or Head of household $72,900.00
Married filing jointly and surviving spouses $113,400.00
Married filing separately $56,700.00

AMT exemption phaseout

Filing status Phaseout
Married filing jointly and surviving spouses $1,036,800.00
Single or Head of household $518,400.00
Married filing separately $518,400.00

AMT excess taxable income above which 28% tax rate applies

Filing status AMTI
Married individuals filing separate returns $98,950.00
Joint returns, unmarried individuals $197,900.00

AMT excess taxable income 26% adjustment

Filing status AMTI
Married individuals filing separate returns $3,958.00
Joint returns, unmarried individuals $1,979.00

Additional AMTI for married filing separately

The additional amount calculates when the Tax Projection Worksheet - Alternative Minimum Tax line 4 exceeds $745,200.00. (The 2019 amount is $733,700.00.) The additional amount calculates as 25% of the excess of the amount on line 4 over $745,200, not to exceed $56,700.

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