Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (The Act) of 2015, signed by the President, contains numerous extensions. The length of the extensions varies, as some tax provisions were extended through 206, some through 2019 and some permanently. Read on for the most notable extensions.

PERMANENT for INDIVIDUALS:

• The $250 deduction for educator expenses.
  • The amount now adjusts for inflation.
• The state and local sales tax deduction.
• Qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from an IRA of up to $100,000 per year.
• The 100% §1202 exclusion on qualified small business stock.
• Earned Income Credit.
  • The EIC "marriage penalty" relief and credit increase for those with three or more children.
    • Tax payers are no longer allowed to claim EIC for years in which a social security number was not obtained by the due date of the tax return.
• The American Opportunity Tax Credit.
  • Taxpayers are no longer allowed to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit for years in which a taxpayer identification number was not obtained by the due date of the tax return.
  • Institutions are now required to report the amount paid for education expenses for years beginning after 2015.
  • Claims for the American Opportunity Tax Credit requires an EIN from the institution.
• Child Tax Credit.
  • Instead of increasing the threshold for the additional child tax credit to $10,000, The Act keeps the threshold at $3,000 permanently.
    • Taxpayers are no longer allowed to claim the child tax credit for years in which taxpayer identification number was not obtained by the due date of the tax return.
• Section 529 Plans now allow expenditures for computers, peripheral equipment and software, provided they are to be used primarily by the beneficiary during years of academic study

NOTE: The $500 penalty for failure to comply with EIC due diligence is now expanded to include the child tax credit and American Opportunity Tax Credit.

THROUGH 2016 for INDIVIDUALS:

• Cancellation of debt income exclusion on qualified principal residences.
• Mortgage insurance premiums paid or accrued allowed as a deduction.
• The tuition and fees deduction.
• The credit for nonbusiness energy placed in service, such as windows, doors, etc.
• The residential energy efficiency credit (REEP) under 25D was modified to extend the credit solar electric or solar water property through 2021. The credit percentage is reduced each year after 2019. Note: This provision was not in the PATH Act, but in the different part of H.R. 2029.
• The Act extends the 10% credit for purchases of electric powered 2-+wheeled vehicles, such as electric motorcycles.
  • The Act did not extend the credit for 3-wheeled vehicles.

PERMANENT for BUSINESS:

• 179 Limit remains at $500,000.
• In addition, expensing “off-the-shelf” software is also made permanent.
• The restriction on heating and air conditioning units has been eliminated.
• The 15-year life is made permanent for the following qualifying properties:
  • Qualified Leasehold improvements.
  • Qualified restaurant buildings.
  • Qualified retail improvements.
• The 5-year recognition period for built-in-gains of an S corporation that was previously a C Corporation.
• The credit for increasing research activities (The Research Credit).
  • Eligible small businesses can claim the credit against AMT.
  • Eligible small startup companies may offset their FICA tax liability with the research credit.
• The ability to limit the reduction in basis for charitable contributions made by an S corporation to the property’s adjusted basis.
• Transit passes and van pool benefits.
• The due date for W-2s and W-3s and returns reporting nonemployee compensation have changed.
  • The new date is January 31 for tax years beginning after the enactment of The Act. For most taxpayers, this is tax year 2016.
  • Any information returned now has a de minimis safe harbor for errors. If an information return has an error of $100 or less ($25 or less for withholding) no correction is required.

 
THROUGH 2016 for BUSINESS:

• The clarification of a race horse as three year property.
• Qualified film expensing.
  • The Act contains a provision to include live theatrical performances.
• The alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit.

 
THROUGH 2019 for BUSINESS:

• The 50% bonus depreciation applies to property placed in service through 2017, then reduces to 40% for 208 and 30% for 2019.
• The Act extends the first year depreciation for passenger automobiles subject to 280F limitations. The Act allows for the additional $8,000 of bonus depreciation through 2017, then $6,000 for 2018 and $4,800 for 2019.
• The Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
  • The Act also includes a provision to allow for a credit for qualified long-term unemployed individuals.