February 6th, 2010 | 
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One of every seven taxpayers subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax is paying it, at least in part, because of what is known in the tax law as a passive activity. A passive activity is the tax characterization of a certain type of investment, and it may be possible for a taxpayer to reduce [...]
February 2nd, 2010 | Print This Post
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The itemized deduction for medical and dental expenses is an item that affects a significant number of individuals who are stuck in the Alternative Minimum Tax. Depending on the type of health insurance an individual has (high deductible plan with a Health Savings Account versus a high amount of coverage with a small copay), [...]
January 24th, 2010 | Print This Post
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In our last article we talked about the Alternative Minimum Tax item resulting from depreciation of business or rental property. A direct corollary of that issue is the AMT item that results from any subsequent sale or other disposition of such property. Critical to minimizing a taxpayer’s AMT is an understanding of the [...]
January 20th, 2010 | Print This Post
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Surprisingly, one of every six individuals paying the Alternative Minimum Tax has depreciation as an AMT item. It may or may not individually be a large item to a particular taxpayer, but the good news is that it is easy to plan around, and this planning can be done any time up until the [...]
January 14th, 2010 | Print This Post
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With the turning of the calendar to 2010, many of the opportunities for 2009 AMT planning are gone. This article will provide a brief overview of the AMT strategies that still are available for 2009, as we sit today, and some of these will be explored in more detail in future articles. Many [...]
December 29th, 2009 | Print This Post
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Year-End AMT Planning Wrap-Up – Part 2
The AMT items that were talked about in Part 1 of this wrap-up generally were the bigger ones that can, depending on a taxpayer’s situation, present immediate year-end Alternative Minimum Tax savings opportunities. But the other items that were discussed in this 10-week series also are important in [...]
December 27th, 2009 | Print This Post
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Year-End AMT Planning Wrap-Up – Part 1
In our 10-week series of articles on tax planning for the Alternative Minimum Tax, we have looked at many things a taxpayer can do to reduce his AMT liability. With only four days left in which to act in order to reduce 2009’s taxes, here is a summary [...]
December 21st, 2009 | Print This Post
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It’s Christmas Week, But There are No Presents in Our Stockings from Congress
The House has adjourned for the year, and the Senate is putting all of its energies into the massive health care reform effort. Left behind – far behind in fact – is any thought of relief for the 24 million taxpayers who [...]
December 20th, 2009 | Print This Post
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Home Mortgage and Investment Interest Deductions
Home mortgage interest and investment interest both are deductible in computing the Regular Tax, although certain limitations apply. The Alternative Minimum Tax similarly allows these deductions, but they are subject to differences in the limitations. Understanding these differences will allow a taxpayer to plan in advance to minimize [...]
December 18th, 2009 | Print This Post
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Investment – Private Activity Bonds
Municipal bonds, or “muni bonds” as they are commonly referred to, offer favorable tax treatment in that the interest earned on them is not subject to tax. This tax-free yield can make them an attractive investment. If an investor is not careful, however, the AMT can apply to make [...]
