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2019 Income and Payroll Tax Rates
2020 Income and Payroll Tax Rates
Income Taxation of Social Security Benefits
Deduction for Qualified Business Income
Deductions for Contributions to Public Charities
Individual Retirement Accounts
Dollar Limits for Qualified Retirement Plans
2019 INCOME AND PAYROLL TAX RATES
SINGLE TAXPAYER RATES
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$0 | $9,700 | $0 | 10% | $0 |
9,700 | 39,475 | 970.00 | 12% | 9,700 |
39,475 | 84,200 | 4,543.00 | 22% | 39,475 |
84,200 | 160,725 | 14,382.50 | 24% | 84,200 |
160,725 | 204,100 | 32,748.50 | 32% | 160,725 |
204,100 | 510,300 | 46,628.50 | 35% | 204,100 |
510,300 | ———- | 153,798.50 | 37% | 510,300 |
HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD RATES
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
MARRIED FILING JOINTLY RATES
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$0 | $19,400 | $0 | 10% | $0 |
19,400 | 78,950 | 1,940.00 | 12% | 19,400 |
78,950 | 168,400 | 9,086.00 | 22% | 78,950 |
168,400 | 321,450 | 28,765.00 | 24% | 168,400 |
321,450 | 408,200 | 65,497.00 | 32% | 321,450 |
408,200 | 612,350 | 93,257.00 | 35% | 408,200 |
612,350 | ———- | 164,709.50 | 37% | 612,350 |
MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY RATES
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$0 | $13,850 | $0 | 10% | $0 |
13,850 | 52,850 | 1,385.00 | 12% | 13,850 |
52,850 | 84,200 | 6,065.00 | 22% | 52,850 |
84,200 | 160,700 | 12,962.00 | 24% | 84,200 |
160,700 | 204,100 | 31,322.00 | 32% | 160,700 |
204,100 | 510,300 | 45,210.00 | 35% | 204,100 |
510,300 | ———- | 152,380.00 | 37% | 510,300 |
TRUSTS AND ESTATES RATES
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$0 | $9,700 | $0 | 10% | $0 |
9,700 | 39,475 | 970.00 | 12% | 9,700 |
39,475 | 84,200 | 4,543.00 | 22% | 39,475 |
84,200 | 160,725 | 14,382.50 | 24% | 84,200 |
160,725 | 204,100 | 32,748.50 | 32% | 160,725 |
204,100 | 306,175 | 46,628.50 | 35% | 204,100 |
306,175 | ———- | 82,354.75 | 37% | 306,175 |
SOCIAL SECURITY PAYROLL TAX
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$ 0 | $ 2,600 | $ 0 | 10% | $ 0 |
2,600 | 9,300 | 260.00 | 24% | 2,600 |
9,300 | 12,750 | 1,868.00 | 35% | 9,300 |
12,750 | ———- | 3,075.50 | 37% | 12,750 |
Minimum Taxable Wage Base | Tax Rate | Maximum Tax | |
Employee | $132,900 | 6.2% | $8,239.80 |
Self-Employed | $132,900 | 12.4% | $16,479.60 |
MEDICARE PART A PAYROLL TAX
Taxable Wage Base | Tax Rate | Maximum Tax | |
Employee | Initial $250,000 (joint filers) | 1.45% | $3,625.00 |
Initial $125,000 (married filing separately) | 1.45% | $1,812.50 | |
Initial $200,000 (all others) | 1.45% | $2,900.00 | |
Wages over $250,000 (joint filers) | 2.35% | (no maximum) | |
Wages over $125,000 (married filing separately) | 2.35% | (no maximum) | |
Wages over $200,000 (all others) | 2.35% | (no maximum) | |
Employer | All wages | 1.45% | |
Self-Employed | Initial $250,000 (joint filers) | 2.9% | $7,250.00 |
Initial $125,000 (married filing separately) | 2.9% | $3,625.00 | |
Initial $200,000 (all others) | 2.9% | $5,800.00 | |
Wages over $250,000 (joint filers) | 3.8% | (no maximum) | |
Wages over $125,000 (married filing separately) | 3.8% | (no maximum) | |
Wages over $200,000 (all others) | 3.8% | (no maximum) |
2020 INCOME AND PAYROLL TAX RATES
SINGLE TAXPAYER RATES
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
MARRIED FILING JOINTLY RATES
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$ 0 | $ 9,875 | $ 0 | 10% | $ 0 |
9,875 | 40,125 | 987.50 | 12% | 9,875 |
40,125 | 85,525 | 4,617.50 | 22% | 40,125 |
85,525 | 163,300 | 14,605.50 | 24% | 85,525 |
163,300 | 207,350 | 33,271.50 | 32% | 163,300 |
207,350 | 518,400 | 47,367.50 | 35% | 207,350 |
518,400 | ———- | 156,235.00 | 37% | 518,400 |
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$ 0 | $ 19,750 | $ 0 | 10% | $ 0 |
19,750 | 80,250 | 1,975.00 | 12% | 19,750 |
80,250 | 171,050 | 9,235.00 | 22% | 80,250 |
171,050 | 326,600 | 29,211.00 | 24% | 171,050 |
326,600 | 414,700 | 66,543.00 | 32% | 326,600 |
414,700 | 622,050 | 94,735.00 | 35% | 414,700 |
622,050 | ———- | 167,307.50 | 37% | 622,050 |
HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD RATES
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$ 0 | $ 14,100 | $ 0 | 10% | $ 0 |
14,100 | 53,700 | 1,410.00 | 12% | 14,100 |
53,700 | 85,500 | 6,162.00 | 22% | 53,700 |
85,500 | 163,300 | 13,158.00 | 24% | 85,500 |
163,300 | 207,350 | 31,830.00 | 32% | 163,300 |
207,350 | 518,400 | 45,926.00 | 35% | 207,350 |
518,400 | ———- | 154,793.50 | 37% | 518,400 |
TRUSTS AND ESTATES RATES
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$ 0 | $ 2,600 | $ 0 | 10% | $ 0 |
2,600 | 9,450 | 260 | 24% | 2,600 |
9,450 | 12,950 | 1,904 | 35% | 9,450 |
12,950 | ———- | 3,129 | 37% | 12,950 |
MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY RATES
Taxable Income
Tax Before Credits
Over | But not over | Flat amount | +% | Of excess over |
$ 0 | $ 9,875 | $ 0 | 10% | $ 0 |
9,875 | 40,125 | 987.50 | 12% | 9,875 |
40,125 | 85,525 | 4,617.50 | 22% | 40,125 |
85,525 | 163,300 | 14,605.50 | 24% | 85,525 |
163,300 | 207,350 | 33,271.50 | 32% | 163,300 |
207,350 | 311,025 | 47,367.50 | 35% | 207,350 |
311,025 | ———- | 83,653.75 | 37% | 311,025 |
SOCIAL SECURITY PAYROLL TAX
Miniumum Taxable Wage Base | Tax Rate | Maximum Tax | |
Employee | $137,700 | 6.2% | $8,537.40 |
Self-Employed | $137,700 | 12.4% | $17,074.80 |
MEDICARE PART A PAYROLL TAX
Taxable Wage Base | Tax Rate | Maximum Tax | |
Employee | Initial $250,000 (joint filers) | 1.45% | $3,625.00 |
Initial $125,000 (married filing separately) | 1.45% | $1,812.50 | |
Initial $200,000 (all others) | 1.45% | $2,900.00 | |
Wages over $250,000 (joint filers) | 2.35% | (no maximum) | |
Wages over $125,000 (married filing separately) | 2.35% | (no maximum) | |
Wages over $200,000 (all others) | 2.35% | (no maximum) | |
Employer | All wages | 1.45% | |
Self-Employed | Initial $250,000 (joint filers) | 2.9% | $7,250.00 |
Initial $125,000 (married filing separately) | 2.9% | $3,625.00 | |
Initial $200,000 (all others) | 2.9% | $5,800.00 | |
Wages over $250,000 (joint filers) | 3.8% | (no maximum) | |
Wages over $125,000 (married filing separately) | 3.8% | (no maximum) | |
Wages over $200,000 (all others) | 3.8% | (no maximum) |
CORPORATE TAX RATE
Taxable income is taxed at a flat rate of 21%.
ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX
Taxpayers are subject to an “alternative minimum tax” (AMT) instead of the regular income tax when they have substantial “preference income.” This is income that is treated favorably under the regular income tax. Basically, the taxpayer must pay whichever tax is higher—the regular tax or the AMT.
Filing Status | 2019 Exemption | 2020 Exemption |
Single or head of household | $71,700 | $72,900 |
Married filing jointly | $111,700 | $113,400 |
Married filing separately | $55,850 | $56,700 |
The exemption amounts are phased out for higher-income taxpayers. The income thresholds are:
2019 – Married filing jointly – $1,020,600
2020 – Married filing jointly – $1,036,800
All other taxpayers – $510,300
All other taxpayers – $518,400
AMT Income in Excess of Exemption 2019/2020
First $194,800* / $197,900
Above $194,800 / $197,900
AMT Rate
26%
28%
*$97,400 / $98,950 for married persons filing separately
KIDDIE TAX ON UNEARNED INCOME
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | Income Tax Bracket | |
First | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,100 | No Tax |
Next | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,100 | Child’s Bracket |
Amounts Over | $2,100 | $2,200 | $2,200 | Trusts and Estates/Parents’ Bracket** |
The “kiddie tax” applies to: a) a child under age 18; b) a child age 18 whose earned income does not exceed one-half of his or her support; or c) a child age 19-23 whose earned income does not exceed one-half of his or her support, and who is a full-time student. Furthermore, the child does not file a joint income tax return and has at least one living parent at the end of the tax year.
**Under Tax Cut and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) the trusts and estates tax rate was applied to this income for both 2018 and 2019. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (“SECURE”) Act provides that for 2020 and beyond, the parents’ tax rate will apply. However, the parents’ rates may apply retroactively for 2018 and 2019 with amended returns.
INCOME TAXATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
Retired taxpayers with incomes over certain threshold amounts are subject to income tax on their Social Security retirement benefits. The special tax base for determining whether a taxpayer’s benefits are subject to tax equals one-half of Social Security benefits plus all other income (including tax-exempt income).
Filing Status | Tax Base | % of Benefits Taxed |
Single or head of household | $25,000 – $34,000 | 50% |
Over $34,000 | 85% | |
Married filing jointly | $32,000 – $44,000 | 50% |
Over $44,000 | 85% |
Married filing separately Depends on whether the spouses live together during the tax year
For example, a married couple filing jointly has an adjusted gross income of $30,000, tax- exempt interest of $3,000, and receives $24,000 in Social Security benefits. The special tax base for the couple equals $45,000, and $6,850 of the Social Security benefits are taxable (.50 x $12,000 = $6,000; .85 x $1,000 = $850; total $6,850).
STANDARD DEDUCTION
Amount – The standard deduction is a flat amount that a taxpayer may deduct in lieu of itemizing deductions. The standard deduction amount for each taxpayer category is:
Taxpayer Status | 2019 | 2020 |
Single | $12,200 | $12,400 |
Married filing jointly | $24,400 | $24,800 |
Head of household | $18,350 | $18,650 |
Married filing separately | $12,200 | $12,400 |
Age 65 or Blind – Taxpayers who are age 65 or over, or who are blind, may take an additional standard deduction (provided they do not itemize). For both 2019 and 2020, the additional standard deduction amount is $1,300 if married or $1,650 if the person is unmarried and not a surviving spouse.
This material is not intended to be used, nor can it be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state or local tax penalties. This material is written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed by this material. Pacific Life Insurance Company, its affiliates, their distributors and respective representatives do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Any taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor or attorney. Pacific Life is a product provider. It is not a fiduciary and therefore does not give advice or make recommendations regarding insurance or investment products.
ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS
Interest Expense – Most personal interest paid is not deductible, with certain important exceptions:
Deductible | Not Deductible |
Mortgage interest on one or two residences up to $750,000 of indebtedness (applies only to new mortgages taken out after December 15, 2017; older mortgages remain tied to the $1,000,000 cap) | Auto loan interest |
Points on home mortgages | Credit card interest |
Business interest | Home equity loan interest |
Investment interest up to net investment income | Most other consumer loan interest |
Prepaid interest other than points on home mortgages |
State and Local Taxes – Itemizers may deduct either state and local income taxes, or state and local sales taxes. Also, itemizers may deduct state and local real property taxes and personal property taxes. The combined deduction for state property and income taxes is capped at $10,000. Taxpayers may not deduct state and local taxes in calculating the AMT unless they are deductible in computing adjusted gross income (“above-the-line” deductions, not itemized).
Medical and Dental Expenses – Expenses paid for nearly all medical, dental and vision care during the year, and not reimbursed by insurance or other means, are deductible by itemizers to the extent that the total of such expenses exceeds 7.5% of AGI in 2019 and 2020.
Losses – Individuals can deduct two basic types of losses: 1) business losses incurred in the taxpayer’s unincorporated business, or 2) investment losses if the investment was originally motivated by profit. Casualty and theft losses are not deductible except for declared national disasters.
DEDUCTION FOR QUALIFIED BUSINESS INCOME
Owners of pass-through entities are taxed on business income at their individual income tax rates, but may claim a 20% deduction of their share of the business income—even if they elect to use the standard deduction instead of itemizing.
A number of “specified service trades or businesses” do not qualify for the deduction, subject to the following thresholds on qualified business income:
2019 | 2020 | |
Married filing jointly | $321,400 | $326,600 |
Married filing separately | $160,725 | $163,300 |
Single | $160,700 | $163,300 |
Head of Household | $160,700 | $163,300 |
CAPITAL GAINS AND DIVIDENDS
2019 Maximum Tax Rate on Long-Term Capital Gains and Most Corporate Dividends
Tax Rate | Single | Married (Joint)* | Head of Household | Estate or Trust |
0% | $0 – $39,375 | $0 – $78,750 | $0 – $52,750 | $0 – $2,650 |
15% | $39,376 – $434,550 | $78,751 – $488,850 | $52,751 – $461,700 | $2,651 – $12,950 |
20% | over $434,550 | over $488,850 | over $461,700 | over $12,950 |
2020 Maximum Tax Rate on Long-Term Capital Gains and Most Corporate Dividends
Tax Rate | Single | Married (Joint)* | Head of Household | Estate or Trust |
0% | $0 – $40,000 | $0 – $80,000 | $0 – $53,600 | $0 – $2,650 |
15% | $40,001 – $441,450 | $80,001 – $496,600 | $53,601- $469,050 | $2,651 – $13,150 |
20% | over $441,450 | over $496,600 | over $469,050 | over $13,150 |
*One half of these amounts in the case of married filing separately.
Holding Period – The long-term rate generally applies to gains on the sale of capital assets held for more than one year.
Short-Term Capital Gains – Net short-term capital gains (on sales of capital assets held for one year or less) are taxed at ordinary income rates.
Collectibles – Long-term capital gain from the sale of collectibles is taxed at a top rate of 28%.
Capital Losses – After capital gains and losses are netted against one another, any remaining net capital loss may be used to offset ordinary income up to $3,000 per year. Any excess net capital loss may be carried over and used in future years.
Sale of a Principal Residence – A seller of any age who has owned and used real property as a principal residence for at least two of the last five years can exclude from gross income up to $250,000 ($500,000 if married filing jointly) of gain realized on a sale.
Additional Tax on High-Income Taxpayers – Individuals with more than $200,000 in income ($250,000 for a married couple filing jointly), who also have investment income, will pay an additional tax of 3.8% on net investment income or the excess of modified adjusted gross income over the threshold amount (whichever amount is less). Investment income is defined as the sum of gross income from items such as interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents, as well as net gain attributable to the disposition of property (i.e., capital gains).
DEDUCTIONS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC CHARITIES
Type of Property Contributed | Deemed Amount of Contribution | Percentage Limitation1 2019/20 |
Cash | Actual dollar amount | 60% |
Appreciated ordinary income property2 or appreciated short-term capital gain property3 | Donor’s tax basis | 50% |
Appreciated long-term capital gain property4 | ||
(a) General rule | Fair market value | 30% |
(b) Election made to reduce amount of contribution | Donor’s tax basis | 50% |
(b) Tangible personal property put to unrelated use by donee charity | Donor’s tax basis | 50% |
- The applicable “percentage limitation’’ applies to the donor’s contribution base, which is the donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI) determined without regard to any net operating loss carryback. The limitation is applied on an annual basis. Any deductible contributions that exceed the current year’s limitations may be carried over and deducted in the five succeeding tax years, subject to the percentage limitations in those years.
- “Ordinary income property” is property that would produce ordinary income if sold by the individual.
- “Short-term capital gain property” is property that would produce short-term capital gain if sold by the individual.
- “Long-term capital gain property” is property that would produce long-term capital gain if sold by the individual.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
Traditional IRA
Contribution Limit – $6,000 ($7,000 for taxpayers age 50+) in 2019 and 2020. Note: For tax years beginning in 2020, the age 701/2 limit on making traditional IRA contributions is eliminated.
Deduction Limit on Qualified Retirement Plan Participants –
- Taxpayers who do not participate in qualified retirement plans can deduct contributions to an IRA.
- Taxpayers who do participate in qualified retirement plans are subject to a reduced deduction based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).
- In 2019, the MAGI phase-out of the deduction for single taxpayers begins at $64,000 and the deduction is lost at $74,000. The MAGI phase-out of the deduction for married taxpayers filing jointly begins at $103,000 and the deduction is lost at $123,000.
- In 2020, the MAGI phase-out of the deduction for single taxpayers begins at $65,000 and the deduction is lost at $75,000. The MAGI phase-out of the deduction for married taxpayers filing jointly begins at $104,000 and the deduction is lost at $124,000.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (continued)
Roth IRA
Contribution Limit – $6,000 ($7,000 for taxpayers age 50+) in 2019 and 2020.
Contribution Limit Based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income – The amount taxpayers can contribute to a Roth IRA is subject to a MAGI phase-out.
- In 2019, the MAGI phase-out on Roth IRA contributions by single taxpayers begins at
$122,000 and no contribution is permitted if MAGI is $137,000 or more. The MAGI phase- out on Roth IRA contributions for married taxpayers filing jointly begins at $193,000 and no contribution is permitted if MAGI is $203,000 or more.
- In 2020, the MAGI phase-out on Roth IRA contributions by single taxpayers begins at
$124,000 and no contribution is permitted if MAGI is $139,000 or more. The MAGI phase- out on Roth IRA contributions for married taxpayers filing jointly begins at $196,000 and no contribution is permitted if MAGI is $206,000 or more.
Deduction Limit – There is no deduction for a contribution to a Roth IRA.
DOLLAR LIMITS FOR QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
2019 | 2020 | |
Defined Contribution Plans – Annual additions limit for defined contributionplans [IRC Sec. 415(c)] | $56,000 | $57,000 |
Defined Benefit Plans – Annual benefit limit for defined benefit plans [IRC Sec. 415(b)] | $225,000 | $230,000 |
401(k) – Annual limit on deferrals [IRC Sec. 402(g)] | $19,000 | $19,500 |
Plus: age 50+ catch-up | $6,000 | $6,500 |
403(b) – Annual limit on deferrals [IRC Sec. 402(g)] | $19,000 | $19,500 |
Plus: age 50+ catch-up | $6,000 | $6,500 |
Salary Reduction SEPs (SARSEPs) – Annual limit on elective | $19,000 | $19,500 |
deferral [IRC Sec. 402(g)] | $6,000 | $6,500 |
Plus: age 50+ catch-up | ||
Annual Limit on Elective Deferrals to 457 Plans – | $19,000 | $19,500 |
[IRC Sec. 457(b)(2)(c)(1)] Plus: age 50+ catch-up | $6,000 | $6,500 |
Maximum Annual Compensation – Amount of employee compensation that may be taken into account by plan formula (QRPs, 403(b), SEPs) [IRC Sec. 401(a)(17)] | $280,000 | $285,000 |
DOLLAR LIMITS FOR QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS (continued)
2019 | 2020 | |
Nondiscrimination Rules – For “highly compensated employees” [IRC Sec. 414(q)(1)] | $125,000 | $130,000 |
Annual Compensation Subject to SEP Discrimination Rules [IRC Sec. 408(k)(3)(c)] | $280,000 | $285,000 |
Compensation Threshold for SEP Participation – [IRC Sec. 408(k)(2)(c)] | $600 | $600 |
Annual Limit on Elective Deferrals to SIMPLE Plans – | $13,000 | $13,500 |
[IRC Sec. 408(p)] Plus: age 50+ catch-up | $3,000 | $3,000 |
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS (RMDs)
Starting in 2020, the required beginning date for RMDs is now age 72 (up from age 701/2). Those who turned 701/2 in 2019 or earlier remain subject to the previous minimum distribution rules and must take an RMD in 2020 and beyond.
Note: This change to the RMD rules does not affect the rules for making Qualified Charitable Distributions—donors may still make QCDs directly from an IRA to charity starting at age 701/2.
An individual who inherits retirement account assets must now distribute those assets within 10 years of the account owner’s death, with no RMDs required during those 10 years. However, the following “Eligible Designated Beneficiaries” are excluded from this change and remain subject to the previous rules, which allow them to “stretch” payments over their life expectancy:
- Surviving spouses
- Minor children (until they reach the age of majority)
- Disabled or chronically ill individuals
- Individuals less than 10 years younger than the decedent
ESTATE & GIFT TAXES
2019 and 2020 Gift and Estate Tax Rates:
Over | But not over | Flat Amount | +% | Of excess over |
$0 | $10,000 | $0 | 18% | $0 |
$10,000 | $20,000 | $1,800 | 20% | $10,000 |
$20,000 | $40,000 | $3,800 | 22% | $20,000 |
$40,000 | $60,000 | $8,200 | 24% | $40,000 |
$60,000 | $80,000 | $13,000 | 26% | $60,000 |
$80,000 | $100,000 | $18,200 | 28% | $80,000 |
$100,000 | $150,000 | $23,800 | 30% | $100,000 |
$150,000 | $250,000 | $38,800 | 32% | $150,000 |
$250,000 | $500,000 | $70,800 | 34% | $250,000 |
$500,000 | $750,000 | $155,800 | 37% | $500,000 |
$750,000 | $1,000,000 | $248,300 | 39% | $750,000 |
$1,000,000 | ———— | $345,800 | 40% | $1,000,000 |
Estate Tax | 2019 | 2020 |
Top Estate Tax Rate | 40% | 40% |
Estate Tax Applicable Exlusion Rate | $11,400,000 | $11,580,000 |
Portability: The estate executor can elect to allocate the unused portion of a decedent’s estate tax applicable exclusion amount to the surviving spouse.
Gift Tax | 2019 | 2020 |
Top Gift Tax Rate | 40% | 40% |
Annual Gift Tax Exclusion | $15,000 per donee | $15,000 per donee |
Annual Gift Tax Exclusion for a Noncitizen Spouse | $155,000 | $157,000 |
Lifetime Gift Tax Applicable Exclusion Amount | $11,400,000 | $11,580,000 |
According to the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, the federal estate, gift and generation skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption amounts are all $5,000,000 (indexed for inflation effective for tax years after 2011); the maximum estate, gift and GST tax rates are 40%.