James F. McDonough
Of Counsel
732-568-8360 jmcdonough@sh-law.comFirm Insights
What Americans Should Know About The 2014 Tax Brackets
Author: James F. McDonough
Date: January 1, 2014
Key Contacts
Back
With only a few days left until the new year rolls in, many Americans are conducting their year-end tax planning and establishing their tax plans for 2014. The Internal Revenue Service recently released the income tax brackets for the 2014 tax year, which will be essential in helping individuals make informed decisions about their various strategies next year, including estate and gift taxes.
For many filers, the 2014 rates will be a step up from this year’s parameters due to inflation. For instance, the standard deduction will increase by $100 to $6,200 for singles, and $12,400 for married joint filers. Head of Household filers can take a standard deduction of $9,100. The personal exemption amount will rise to $3,950 in 2014, up from $3,900 in 2013. The 2013 exemption of $80,800 for married joint filers will also increase by $1,300 in 2014. For single filers it will rise by $900 from the $51,900 level in 2013.
In addition to changes to the standard deduction and personal exemption amounts, the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption was made permanent and indexed for inflation for 2014. Although the tax exclusion on annual gifts will remain unchanged at $14,000, the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption will increase from $5.25 million in 2013 to $5.34 million next year. This increase may greatly help high net-worth earning individuals and business owners pass on a greater share of their wealth to future generations and make more calculated decisions as they relate to trusts and other vehicles aimed to keep family wealth intact.
It’s also important to note the “portability” of a deceased spouse’s unused exclusion amount, which was made a permanent part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act in 2012. The rule allows a surviving spouse to use the deceased spouse’s unused estate tax exclusion – up to $5.34 million next year.
- Practices: Tax and Trusts & Estates, Estate & Trust Litigation, Real Property Tax Strategies
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
How to Effectively Use Contracts to Manage Risk
Key provisions in your contracts, including those relating to indemnification, insurance, and defense, are essential to contract risk management. While sometimes considered “boilerplate,” these provisions play a pivotal role when determining which party is responsible for certain costs and liabilities. They must always be negotiated and drafted carefully. Indemnification Clauses Businesses should never overlook the […]
Author: George McGowan
Understanding Portability for Estate and Gift Tax
Portability of estate and gift tax enables a surviving spouse to inherit any unused portion of their deceased spouse’s federal estate and gift tax exemption. So, if one spouse doesn’t utilize their full exemption, the surviving spouse can effectively double their exemption amount with regard to estate tax liability. For married couples, portability offers a […]
Author: Marc J. Comer
Pet Trusts in New Jersey and New York: A Practical Estate Planning Tool
For many of us, pets are more than companions—they are members of the family. Yet they are often overlooked or inadequately provided for when it comes to estate planning. A pet trust offers a legally enforceable way to ensure that your animal continues to receive proper care if you become incapacitated or pass away. As […]
Author: Marc J. Comer
How Can Trusts Be Used in Business Succession?
For many New Jersey business owners, a closely held company represents decades of work, financial investment, and personal sacrifice. Trusts in business succession planning are one of the most effective tools for protecting that value, allowing founders to control how and when the business passes to the next generation while reducing the risk of disputes, […]
Author: George McGowan
Read Before You Sign: IT Contract Pitfalls Every NJ Business Should Know
In today’s digital economy, New Jersey businesses of all sizes rely heavily on technology vendors, software providers, cloud platforms, and managed IT services. Whether your company is purchasing software, migrating data to the cloud, engaging a cybersecurity consultant, or entering into a long-term managed services agreement, a careful IT contract review can have significant operational, […]
Author: George McGowan
New York NDA Requirements for Businesses
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) remain a critical tool for protecting sensitive business information. However, New York NDA requirements have evolved, and businesses must ensure these agreements are carefully drafted to remain enforceable. In a competitive market like New York City, NDAs are commonly used to protect proprietary information, client relationships, and strategic plans. At the same […]
Author: Dan Brecher
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.