Tax Law Changes in 2020 That Can Fatten Your Refund

Recent congressional acts have made a number of adjustments to the tax code, and some of these changes may affect your refund. We've rounded up 10 important tax law changes in 2020 that can potentially increase the amount you are refunded. It's best to review the changes that have occurred every tax year so you can be sure not to miss out on any refund advantages when you file.

1. The American Opportunity Credit changes

The once temporary American Opportunity Credit has now been made permanent. Depending on income and filing status, taxpayers who pay college-related costs for themselves, a spouse, a child, or another dependent can receive a credit for up to $2,500 in tuition and related expenses, such as course materials.

Here's how it works: You get a credit for 100% of the first $2,000 you spend on post-secondary education. After that, you can claim a credit of 25% of up to the next $2,000. The credit is partially refundable, so if it reduces the taxes you owe below zero, you can receive up to $1,000 in the form of a refund.

2. Retirement account changes

The SECURE Act and the CARES Act have created several tax-law changes in 2020 for retirement plans. Here are the highlights:

• The SECURE Act raised the minimum age of RMDs from 70.5 to 72 for anyone who turns 70.5 after 2019. However, the CARES Act allows seniors to forego RMDs in 2020 without penalty.
• Those with traditional IRAs can now make contributions past the age of 70.5 beginning in 2020.
• Taxpayers who are having a baby or adopting a child can now take IRA and 401(k) payouts of up to $5,000 (per parent) without paying the 10% penalty.
• For the 2020 tax year, taxpayers under 59.5 years of age can take IRA and 401(k) payouts of up to $100,000 for coronavirus-related expenses without paying the 10% penalty. Additionally, the coronavirus-related distribution can be included in income in equal amounts over a three-year period. The taxpayer has three years to put the money back into the accounts in order to undo the tax consequences of the distribution.
• Retirement plan loans that were due in 2020 are delayed for one year.
• The maximum contributions for 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457 plans, and SIMPLE IRAs have all increased by $500. Additionally, the income ceilings on Roth IRA contributions has increased and is based on your adjusted gross income (AGI).

3. Standard deduction increase

The standard deduction is also undergoing tax law changes in 2020.

Here are the 2020 amounts:

4. Tax bracket changes

To adjust for inflation, the IRS has adjusted the income limits for all tax brackets:

5. Charitable cash donation changes

The CARES Act has suspended the 60% of AGI limit for most charitable cash deductions, which allows for more deductions by taxpayers who itemize. This does not apply if the cash donations go to a donor-advised fund or private nonoperating foundation. Additionally, taxpayers who don't itemize can deduct up to $300 of qualified charitable cash contributions.

6. W-4 changes

Beginning in 2020, the IRS has changed the Form W-4. Workers will no longer claim withholding allowances on the form. The new Form W-4 is now simplified and requires information about filing status, number of dependents, number of jobs, estimated tax breaks, and other income that may be reported on a 1040. Employees are not required to submit a new Form W-4 unless they are hired after 2019 or want to adjust their withholdings.

7. Form 1099-MISC and Form 1099-NEC changes

Beginning in tax year 2020, Form 1099-MISC has been revamped and Form 1099-NEC is back. Because of these changes, employers will no longer report nonemployee compensation of $600 or more on Form 1099-MISC. These types of payments to non-employees should be reported on a Form 1099-NEC. These payments include commissions, fees, prizes, awards, or any form of compensation to nonemployees. These forms should be given to the payee and filed with the IRS by January 31 each year.

8. Long-term care premium deduction changes

For taxpayers who itemize on Schedule A or self-employed taxpayers who complete a Schedule 1 of Form 1040, the limits for long-term care premium deductions have been raised for 2020.

• Age 40 or under: $430
• Age 41 to 50: $810
• Age 51 to 60: $1,630
• Age 61 to 70: $4,350
• Age 71 and over: $5,430

9. Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) changes

In early 2013, Congress made the AMT "patch" permanent to prevent millions of taxpayers from having to pay AMT in 2013 and beyond. The exemptions for 2020 are:

• $72,900 for single and head of household filers.
• $113,400 for married couples filing jointly and qualifying widow(er)s.
• $56,700 for married people filing separately.

These amounts are indexed for inflation for future tax years.

10. Energy-efficiency credit changes

If you installed certain energy-efficient equipment in your home, such as solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and wind turbines, you may be able to claim a credit worth 26% of the expense in tax years 2020 through 2022, and 22% in 2023. The credit expires after 2023. The credit is not refundable, but any excess can be carried forward to future tax years.

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