Child Tax Credit: For 2021, the new law increases the amount of the Child Tax Credit, makes it available for qualifying children age 17 (rather than 16), makes it fully refundable for eligible taxpayers, and makes it possible for families to receive half of it in advance during the last half of 2021.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") changed deductions, depreciation, expensing, tax credits and other tax items that affect businesses. This side-by-side comparison can help businesses understand the changes and plan accordingly.
Expanded EITC for people who do not have qualifying children
For the first time, the credit is now available to both younger workers and senior citizens. There is no upper age limit for claiming the credit if taxpayers have earned income.
Rise in standard deductions
For heads of households, it is $22,500 for tax year 2025, up $600 from tax year 2024. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately for tax year 2025, the standard deduction increases to $15,000 for 2025, up $400 from 2024.
The lingering impacts of the pandemic, including changes in income sources, tax relief expirations, and new legislation, have all contributed to changes in tax liability. These factors might explain why you owe taxes in 2024.
The new "$600 rule"
Under the new rules set forth by the IRS, if you got paid more than $600 for the transaction of goods and services through third-party payment platforms, you will receive a 1099-K for reporting the income.
Earned Income Tax Credit FAQs
Yes, you may be able to claim the EITC without a qualifying child if you meet the income requirements for your filing status. You must be between the ages of 25 and 64 and have resided in the U.S. for over half the year.
After an inflation adjustment, the 2024 standard deduction increases to $14,600 for single filers and married couples filing separately and to $21,900 for single heads of household, who are generally unmarried with one or more dependents. For married couples filing jointly, the standard deduction rises to $29,200.
Homeowners may refinance mortgage debts existing on 12/15/2017 up to $1 million and still deduct the interest, so long as the new loan does not exceed the amount of the mortgage being refinanced. The Act repealed the deduction for interest paid on home equity debt through 12/31/2025.
Starting in 2025, tax Social Security benefits in a manner similar to private pension income.
For 2021, the additional standard deduction amount for the aged or the blind is $1,350. The additional standard deduction amount increases to $1,700 for unmarried taxpayers.
You cannot claim an education credit when: Someone else, such as your parents, list you as a dependent on their tax return. Your filing status is married filing separately.
FACT: The bill cuts taxes and lowers rates for all Americans. While the status quo tilts in favor of the wealthy, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act delivers tax relief for middle-income Americans by doubling the standard deduction and lowering rates for those who need it most.
At what age is Social Security no longer taxable? Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.
Standard deduction for seniors – If you do not itemize your deductions, you can get a higher standard deduction amount if you and/or your spouse are 65 years old or older. You can get an even higher standard deduction amount if either you or your spouse is blind.
How do I get a 10,000 tax refund? You could end up with a $10,000 tax refund if you've paid significantly more tax payments than you owe at the end of the year.
You can't claim the EIC unless your investment income is $11,600 or less. If your investment income is more than $11,600, you can't claim the credit. Use Worksheet 1 in this chapter to figure your investment income.
If you owe money to a federal or state agency, the federal government may use part or all of your federal tax refund to repay the debt. This is called a tax refund offset. If your tax refund is lower than you calculated, it may be due to a tax refund offset for an unpaid debt such as child support.
For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rises to $14,600 for 2024, an increase of $750 from 2023; and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $21,900 for tax year 2024, an increase of $1,100 from the amount for tax year 2023.
Payments you collect on the Cash App only count as income if you received them in exchange for goods or services. In contrast, personal payments between friends and family don't count, and you don't have to report them on your taxes.
If you made a profit or gain on the sale of a personal item, your profit is taxable. The profit is the difference between the amount you received for selling the item and the amount you originally paid for the item.