When all is said and done, what are the actual tax brackets and rates this year? The fiscal cliff compromise bill that passed Congress preserves Bush-era rates for taxpayers making under $400K (single filers)/$450K (joint filers) in taxable income. Last year, we predicted 2013 tax brackets under various scenarios using the IRS’s method of adjusting tax brackets for inflation; based on that work, we can confidently say that this year’s tax brackets are as follows: Table: 2013 Tax Rates and Brackets Filing Status Taxable Income Rate Single $0 to $8,925*: 10% $8,925* to $36,250: 15% $36,250 to $87,850: 25% $87,850 to $183,250: 28% $183,250 to $398,350: 33% $398,350 to $400,000: 35% $400,000+: 39.6% Joint $0 to $17,850*: 10% $17,850* to $72,500: 15% $72,500 to $146,400: 25% $146,400 to $223,050: 28% $223,050 to $398,350: 33% $398,350 to $450,000: 35% $450,000+: 39.6% Head of Household $0 to $12,750*: 10% $12,750* to $48,600: 15% $48,600 to $125,450: 25% $125,450 to $203,150: 28% $203,150 to $398,350: 33% $398,350 to $425,000: 35% $425,000+: 39.6% Edit: The bill also appears to adjust other AMT parameters for inflation as well. The boundary between the 26% and 28% brackets has been $175,000 for decades; it will be so for 2012 as well and adjusted for subsequent years. In 2013 we calculate it to be $179,500. Likewise, the AMT exemption phaseout has, for may years, started at $112,500 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers – in 2013 it will rise to $115,400 for single filers and $153,900 for joint filers.We also finally know what the AMT exemption levels are, both for 2012 and 2013. The bill sets the 2012 exemption level at $50,600 for single filers and $78,750 for joint filers and adjusts these amounts for inflation thereafter. In 2013, inflation adjustments will result in an exemption level of $51,900 for single filers and $80,800 for joint filers, according to our calculations. *Erratum: Upon closer reading of the relevant statutes, we’ve determined that our method for adjusting the top of the 10% bracket wasn’t using the correct base year. We’ve fixed our calculation and adjusted the table as of 5:27 PM on January 3rd.
