The annual gift tax exclusion for 2025 is $19,000 per recipient, up from $18,000 in 2024, as announced by the IRS. Married couples can "split" gifts to effectively give $38,000 per recipient without filing a gift tax return. This exclusion allows individuals to transfer assets without reducing their lifetime estate and gift tax exemption.
Starting January 1, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces a federal income tax exemption on designated amount of qualifying overtime pay. The big news is you can deduct up to $12,500 in overtime pay if for most filers (and up to $25,000 if you're Married Filing Jointly).
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that the annual gift tax exclusion will remain at $19,000 per recipient in 2026, the same as in 2025. The annual amount that may be given to a spouse who is not a US citizen will increase to $194,000 in 2026.
For the 2025 tax year, seniors (age 65+) get a new $6,000 bonus deduction (or $12,000 for couples) under the "One Big Beautiful Bill," stacked on top of the existing senior standard deduction, phasing out for incomes over $75k (single) or $150k (joint), available through 2028, and requires an SSN and joint filing if married.
Tax changes for 2025, largely driven by the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBBA) Act, introduce significant deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, expand the Child Tax Credit, and raise the SALT deduction cap to $40,000, while making several 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions permanent, including the seven tax brackets. Key changes include a $2,200 Child Tax Credit, a $6,000 senior deduction, deductions for qualified tips and overtime, and a permanent standard deduction increase.
Section 80TTB of the Income Tax Act is a special provision created for senior citizens. It allows them to claim a deduction of up to Rs. 50,000 on the interest income they earn. This benefit applies to interest from deposits with banks, co-operative societies engaged in banking, and post offices.
Some of the major tax changes effective from April 1, 2025, are revised tax slabs, rebate of up to Rs. 60,000, revised ITRU deadlines, calculation of partner's remuneration allowable as a deduction and revised TDS/TCS threshold limits. What is the Rebate available under section 87A?
For the 2025 tax year, the basic federal standard deduction (the "basic exemption") increased significantly due to inflation and a special boost from the new One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB), now being $15,750 for Single filers, $31,500 for Married Filing Jointly, and $23,625 for Head of Household, with further additional amounts for seniors and the blind. These figures reflect an approximate 7.9% increase from 2024, with the OBBB law extending the doubled standard deduction.
To avoid the 22% tax bracket (or any higher bracket), focus on reducing your taxable income through strategies like maxing out 401(k)s and HSAs, deferring bonuses, tax-loss harvesting, smart charitable giving, and strategic asset location, understanding that higher rates only apply to income within that bracket, not your entire income.
There's no limit on how much money you can give or receive as a gift! However, there are some occasions where tax may be payable, or capital gains tax (CGT) may apply. For example, in some instances when gifting property, shares or crypto assets, or when receiving money or an asset from a non-resident trust.
For tax year 2025, seniors (65+) get a new $6,000 "bonus" federal tax deduction (or $12,000 for couples) under recent legislation, in addition to existing age-based deductions, phasing out at higher incomes (MAGI $75k single, $150k joint) and requiring filing jointly if married to claim the full amount, while some states also offer senior property tax exemptions, like Colorado's temporary reinstatement for recent movers, requiring separate applications.
One of the most common mistakes that older adults make is assuming they don't have to file taxes. Since most retirees don't have W-2 income, they think they aren't required to file.
Senior citizens receiving interest income from FDs can avail TDS exemption up to ₹1 lakh per year (for FY 2025-26). Till March 2025, senior citizens can claim tax exemption up to ₹50,000.
For the 2025 tax year, the standard deduction is $15,750 for Single filers, $31,500 for Married Filing Jointly, and $23,625 for Head of Household, with additional amounts for those 65 or older or blind, thanks to inflation adjustments and a legislative boost from the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB).
Under the new income tax regime for 2025-26, any taxable income up to ₹12,00,000 attracts a full rebate of ₹60,000 (under Section 87A), resulting in a nil tax liability.
In November 2025, the full retirement age (FRA) — the age at which individuals qualify to receive 100% of their Social Security benefits — increased to 66 years and 10 months for those born in 1959. FRA gradually rises month by month, so in November 2025, those born in January 1959 reached their FRA.
Yes, federal taxes are changing significantly in 2025 due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, making the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions permanent, increasing the standard deduction, boosting the Child Tax Credit to $2,200, raising the SALT deduction cap, and introducing new credits, while also expiring some energy credits. These changes mean higher standard deductions, more generous credits for families and seniors, and a higher cap on state and local tax deductions for many, impacting most taxpayers.