What the New December 2019 Tax Law Changes Mean for You
A new law signed in late 2019 includes many changes that may affect your 2019 tax return, due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by April 15. These changes are separate from the big 2017 tax law changes that went into effect last year.
New Law Extends Tax Breaks for Many
The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, was signed into law on December 20, 2019. It includes provisions from two acts:
Other changes in the new law include:
Reduction in the medical expense deduction floor
Energy-efficient homes credit
Employer credit for paid family and medical leave
Work opportunity credit
Special rule for determining earned income
Repeal of maximum age for traditional IRA contributions
Expansion of Section 529 plans
For the complete list of affected tax law provisions see the Joint Committee on Taxation List of Expiring Tax Provisions 2020.
These tax breaks are retroactive; you can go back and amend your 2018 tax return to claim them for that tax year.
Changes Cause Recalls and Delays for Tax Forms, Instructions, and Publications
The timing of the law has caused recalls and delays for many tax forms, instructions, and publications. In some instances, the IRS has updated a tax form but not the instructions for it. You may want to check:
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Updates for 2019
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 made big changes to how the government calculates your income taxes. Most of the changes took effect last year and applied to your 2018 federal tax return. But a few changes go into effect this year, and apply for the first time to your 2019 return. The Internal Revenue Service also made adjustments for inflation to some deductions, credits, and tax brackets.
New in 2019: Affordable Care Act Fee Dropped
The health care law’s “individual mandate” is eliminated starting with tax year 2019.
New, Higher Standard Deduction Adjusts for Inflation
The law nearly doubled the standard deduction for most filers last year. The standard deduction for tax year 2019 is
$12,200 for individuals (up $200 from last year to adjust for inflation)
$18,350 for heads of household (up $350)
$24,400 for married couples filing jointly (up $400)
Standard Deduction Versus Itemizing
Deductions lower the amount of income that you pay tax on. You can take the standard deduction or you can itemize deductions. Your standard deduction may now be greater than your total itemized deductions. Learn how to decide to take the standard deduction or to itemize.
Itemized Deduction Changes for 2019
Many itemized deductions were eliminated or capped in 2018. Here are a couple of new changes for 2019.
Tax Rates Stay the Same as in 2018
Tax rates fell last year under the new tax law. The rates remain the same this year, ranging from 10% to 37%. The tax brackets, or income ranges, increased slightly for inflation. Check out this table with the 2019 and 2018 tax rates and brackets.
Personal and Dependent Exemptions Remain at Zero
These were eliminated last year. Prior to that, they lowered your taxable income by $4,050 each for you, your spouse, and your dependents. The higher standard deduction and increases in other credits may help offset the loss of the exemptions.
Child Tax Credit Stays Put After Doubling in 2018
Tax credits are better than deductions because they reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar. The Child Tax Credit now reduces your taxes up to $2,000 per child under 17. (This change went into effect last year.) Many more families now qualify for the credit as income limits have gone up to
$200,000 for individual filers (the same as last year and up from $75,000 two years ago)
$400,000 for married filing jointly (the same as last year and up from $110,000 two years ago)
This is a “refundable” credit, meaning you can get up to $1,400 per child back even if your 2019 tax bill is $0. You must claim the credit on your tax return to get it.
Social Security Number Required for Child Tax Credit
Any child you claim for the Child Tax Credit must now have a Social Security number. They must have the number by the due date of your tax return (including extensions).
Credit for Other Dependents, Created Last Year, Stays at $500
You can now claim a credit for your other dependents, including kids 17 and up and other relatives. To qualify, a dependent must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. Green Card holder.
Learn More About the 2017 Tax Reform Law Changes
For more information about the tax law changes, including last year’s itemized tax deduction changes, see: