Every year, the Internal Revenue Service announces cost-of-living adjustments that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts. Here are a few of the key adjustments for 2019
Employer Retirement Plans
Employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans can defer up to $19,000 in compensation in 2019 (up from $18,500 in 2018); employees age 50 and older can defer up to an additional $6,000 in 2019 (the same as in 2018).
Employees participating in a SIMPLE retirement plan can defer up to $13,000 in 2019 (up from $12,500 in 2018), and employees age 50 and older can defer up to an additional $3,000 in 2019 (the same as in 2018).
IRA’s
2018
2019
Single/head of household (HOH)
$63,000 – $73,000
$64,000 – $74,000
Married filing jointly (MFJ)
$101,000 – $121,000
$103,000 – $123,000
Married filing separately (MFS)
$0 – $10,000
$0 – $10,000
Note: The 2019 phaseout range is $193,000 – $203,000 (up from $189,000 – $199,000 in 2018) when the individual making the IRA contribution is not covered by a workplace retirement plan but is filing jointly with a spouse who is covered. The modified AGI phaseout ranges for individuals to make contributions to a Roth IRA are:
2018
2019
Single/head of household (HOH)
$120,000 – $135,000
$122,000 – $137,000
Married filing jointly (MFJ)
$189,000 – $199,000
$193,000 – $203,000
Married filing separately (MFS)
$0 – $10,000
$0 – $10,000
Estate and Gift Tax
The annual gift tax exclusion for 2019 is $15,000, the same as in 2018.
The gift and estate tax basic exclusion amount for 2019 is $11,400,000, up from $11,180,000 in 2018.
Kiddie Tax
Under the kiddie tax rules, unearned income above $2,200 in 2019 (up from $2,100 in 2018) is taxed using the trust and estate income tax brackets. The kiddie tax rules apply to: (1) those under age 18, (2) those age 18 whose earned income doesn’t exceed one-half of their support, and (3) those ages 19 to 23 who are full-time students and whose earned income doesn’t exceed one-half of their support.
Standard Deduction
2018
2019
Single/head of household (HOH)
$12,000/$18,000
$12,200/$18,350
Married filing jointly (MFJ)
$24,000
$24,400
Married filing separately (MFS)
$12,000
$12,200
Note: The additional standard deduction amount for the blind or aged (age 65 or older) in 2019 is $1,650 (up from $1,600 in 2018) for single/HOH or $1,300 (the same as in 2018) for all other filing statuses. Special rules apply if you can be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.
Alternative minimum tax (AMT)
Maximum AMT exemption amount
2018
2019
Single/head of household (HOH)
$70,000
$71,700
Married filing jointly (MFJ)
$109,000
$111,700
Married filing separately (MFS)
$54,700
$55,850
Exemption phaseout threshold
2018
2019
Single/head of household (HOH)
$500,000
$510,300
Married filing jointly (MFJ)
$1,000,000
$1,020,600
Married filing separately (MFS)
$500,000
$510,300
26% rate on AMTI* up to this amount,28% rate on AMTI above this amount
2018
2019
Single/head of household (HOH)
$191,100
$194,800
Married filing jointly (MFJ)
$191,100
$194,800
Married filing separately (MFS)
$95,550
$97,400
This information was developed by Broadridge, an independent third party. It is general in nature, is not a complete statement of all information necessary for making an investment decision, and is not a recommendation or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investments and strategies mentioned may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2019.