Community Corner

2013 Tax Tip: What's The Alternative Minimum Tax?

The Alternative Minimum Tax may apply to you if your income is above a certain amount.

 A press release from the Internal Revenue Service:

The Alternative Minimum Tax may apply to you if your income is above a certain amount. Here are five facts the IRS wants you to know about the AMT:

You may have to pay the tax if your taxable income plus certain adjustments is more than the AMT exemption amount for your filing status.

Find out what's happening in East Hampton-Portlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The 2012 AMT exemption amounts for each filing status are:

  • Single and Head of Household = $50,600;
  • Married Filing Joint and Qualifying Widow(er) = $78,750; and
  • Married Filing Separate = $39,375.

AMT attempts to ensure that some individuals and corporations who claim certain exclusions, tax deductions and tax credits pay a minimum amount of tax.

Find out what's happening in East Hampton-Portlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

You should use IRS e-file to prepare and file your tax return. You figure AMT using different rules than those you use to figure your regular income tax. IRS e-file software will determine if you owe AMT, and if you do, it will figure the tax for you.

If you file a paper return, use the AMT Assistant tool on IRS.gov to find out if you may need to pay the tax.

Visit IRS.gov for more information about AMT. You should also check Form 6251, Alternative Minimum Tax – Individuals and its instructions. Both are available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here